SEATTLE A popular Woodinville High School teacher was killed on Christmas Eve and a man that she had been dating has been arrested.
Seattle Police say on Christmas Eve, Prudence Hockley stepped outside of her home in Phinney Ridge to talk to the man.
Some of the neighbors heard voices and a loud thump. Hockley's 13-year-old daughter found her mother outside and called 911.
Hockley was taken to the hospital with a serious head injury, but died.
Shared memories and condolences are being spread throughout Facebook. Hockley s neighbors describe her as a vibrant single mother, a bit sassy and great with children. She was an English teacher at Woodinville High School.
Neighbors say it's hard coming to terms with the loss and can't help but think of her 13-year-old.
When I think about what happened of course that was the first thing that you start to think about was what about her daughter, said Miranda Meyer.
Police say the man who killed Hockley is Johnny Wiggins. He was arrested Wednesday.
Neighbors say they saw him around lot this summer and not as often lately. It might be because was sent back to Georgia after punching a community corrections officer in Seattle.
It s not yet known why he was on parole in Georgia and it s not known if he came back here legally.
Hockley joined the faculty of Woodinville High School in the 1997-1998 school year. She was a native of New Zealand who did graduate studies at the University of Canterbury and the University of Washington.
Woodinville High School Principal Kurt Criscioine sent a letter to families of students, saying Ms.Hockley was an extraordinary teacher who was passionate about learning, reading and writing. Known for her high expectations, she developed strong relationships with students and pushed them outside of their comfort zones to expand their learning. She will forever be remembered for her dynamic personality and teaching style.
Criscione said the district Crisis Team will be at school throughout the week to help support students and staff members and memorial plans will be announced at a later date.
A memorial page has been set up on Facebook for Hockley.
