Sheremy Dillard, a high school girls basketball coach and recovery teacher in Wake County, was found dead in her Raleigh home on Thursday. Police say her injuries were consistent with a stabbing, and her boyfriend, Rickey Harper, has been charged with first degree murder.
Officers were called to Dillard’s home on Whistling Straits Way for a welfare check after her family said they had not heard from her.
Investigators say Harper had already left the home and later left the state. Using Flock camera technology, detectives tracked him to Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, where he was taken into custody on Friday afternoon.
A Coach Who Poured Into Her Community
Dillard served as head coach of the girls basketball team and worked as a recovery teacher at Felton Grove High School in Apex. Before joining Felton Grove, she spent many years as a basketball coach and teacher at Carrboro High School, where colleagues say she left a lasting mark on students and staff alike.
A spokesperson for Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools said Dillard treated players, coaches, and colleagues like family, and was never afraid to have difficult conversations in support of her students. The district said counseling resources will be made available to staff and students in the days ahead.
Friends and former players describe Dillard as warm, encouraging, and deeply invested in the young people she worked with.
One former player said she had spoken with Dillard just two weeks before her death and struggled to process the news. Neighbors who lived near Dillard also expressed shock, saying they never expected anything like this to happen on their street.
Dr. Bob Hill, a former athletic director at Hillside High School in Durham, said Dillard mentored many of her fellow coaches during her career and had a gift for connecting with the students she taught.
Death Renews Focus on Domestic Violence Awareness
Dillard’s death has prompted renewed calls from advocates urging community members to recognize warning signs of domestic violence and speak up when something feels wrong. Kimberly Carver, founder of The Purple Trail Foundation, said intervention from a trusted professional can make the difference in saving someone’s life.
Dillard, a graduate of North Carolina Central University, is being remembered for the encouragement she gave to athletes and colleagues throughout her coaching career in the Triangle area. As funeral arrangements are made, friends say they hope her legacy of kindness and mentorship will continue to inspire the people she touched.
Anyone experiencing or concerned about domestic violence can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800 799 SAFE (7233).
This is a sensitive topic involving domestic violence and loss of life. If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, support resources are available, including the hotline listed above.
