RALEIGH, N.C. — A man accused of murdering a Ravenscroft teacher remains in custody at the Wake County Detention Center as unsettling questions arise about his past behavior and prior interactions with the justice system.
Ryan Camacho, 30, has a lengthy criminal record spanning 20 years in Wake and Durham counties. Concerns have been raised about why he was free to allegedly kill Zoe Welsh in her home rather than being detained or committed for mental health treatment. A judge earlier declined a request to involuntarily commit him, despite indications of troubling behavior.
In December 2025, a Wake County judge determined that there were not enough grounds to commit Camacho to a mental health facility, as the judge found no significant warnings regarding his prior offenses. Retired Superior Court Judge Carl Fox explained that merely committing property crimes does not necessarily indicate a person is a threat to others, which was a consideration in the case.
“Judges evaluate several factors when making such decisions,” Fox noted. “They assess whether the individual has made threats or committed violent acts recently.” Even if Camacho had been committed, Fox indicated, the duration of any hospitalization would be unpredictable.
Shortly before Welsh’s death, police reported that Camacho may have been living in Fletcher Park, though authorities could not confirm the length of his stay there. This revelation has led to increased scrutiny of how local law enforcement has handled interactions in the area, particularly given that police had responded to numerous calls for service there in recent months.
Security footage reportedly captured Camacho walking through the neighborhood just two hours before the incident. One resident expressed alarm over his behavior, describing him as acting disturbingly toward defenseless animals.
Additionally, Camacho has a history of troubling encounters with other individuals. Wes Phillips described ongoing harassment from Camacho over several years, alleging that Camacho returned to vandalize his property and threaten him.
Police are currently investigating accusations that Camacho broke into the St. Mary’s Square North Apartments before the murder. Given Camacho’s past, many are left wondering how he could have been free to commit such acts.
As the investigation unfolds, community members are grappling with the implications of these events and the legal system’s role in addressing mental health and public safety concerns.