A beloved girls basketball coach was tragically found dead inside of a home at 57 years old this week.
Sheremy Gwenette Dillard, a high school basketball coach and teacher, was found dead inside of her Raleigh, North Carolina home. A 60-year-old man, Rickey Harper, was later arrested in Pennsylvania in connection with her death. Harper, who was reportedly Dillard’s boyfriend, has been charged with first-degree murder.
Law enforcement said that cameras helped track Harper, who allegedly fled the scene of the crime. A search took place, lasting about two and a half hours.
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Dillard had served as the head coach at Felton Grove High School in Apex, North Carolina, which opened last August. She previously served as the head coach at Carrboro High School in Carrboro, North Carolina.
“I woke up this morning to horrific news that no parent or child should ever have to hear. My daughter’s teacher, Sheremy Gwenette Dillard at Felton Grove High School, was taken from this world in an act of domestic violence. Our hearts are absolutely broken. As a parent, there is something especially painful about knowing that someone who taught, encouraged, and helped shape childrens’ lives is suddenly gone,” one parent shared.
Chapel-Hill Carrboro City Schools spokesperson Andy Jenks released a statement on her passing.
“She treated Jaguar players, coaches and colleagues like family, while never hesitating to engage in the hard conversations needed to advocate for equity and do what was best for our students and community,” Jenks said.
“Many of our current Jaguar staff and students had strong relationships with Coach Dillard, and as our community begins to process this loss, we will rely on each other for the needed support at this sad time, ” the statement continued.
“Our school community will share information about memorial arrangements, services or celebrations of life at the next appropriate time. Until then, please keep Coach Dillard’s family, loved ones, friends, colleagues and students close to your heart.”
Our thoughts are with the friends and family members of the beloved head coach.
