Update: Woodinville Teacher's Death Ruled a Homicide

Update, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 28:

Woodinville High School teacher Prudence Hockley's death last week has been ruled a homicide, and police today took into custody a man she had been dating.

According to the Seattle Police Department, the 55-year-old Hockley stepped outside her home in the 300 block of NW 74th St. in Seattle around 11 p.m. on Dec. 24 to talk to the 48-year-old man. According to the police report, witnesses heard voices, then a loud thump; Hockley’s 13-year-old daughter went outside and found her mother unconscious on the ground at the side of the house. The suspect was seen walking away from Hockley, police said, and then drove away.

Hockley was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with a life-threatening head injury. Police detectives were notified Dec. 25 that Hockley had died from her injuries. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office said Wednesday that the cause of death was blunt-force trauma to the head.

The suspect was taken into custody Wednesday and is being interviewed by detectives. He is expected to be booked into the King County Jail as the investigation continues.

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. A memorial Facebook page for her has been created; find it here.

Woodinville High School principal Kurt Criscione released a statement Wednesday:

It is a sad day for our Woodinville High School community. Ms. Hockley was an extraordinary teacher with a dynamic personality and teaching style.  We will miss her greatly. Our thoughts are with Prudence's family at this difficult time.

Original story:

Prudence Hockley, a popular English teacher at , died unexpectedly at her home in Seattle on Dec. 24, according to a letter sent to students' parents on Tuesday by principal Kurt Criscione.

She was a native of New Zealand who did graduate studies at the University of Canterbury and the University of Washington. A memorial Facebook page for her has been created; find it here.

Here is the letter that was sent:

Dear Woodinville High School Families:

It with great sadness that I inform you that beloved English teacher Prudence Hockley died unexpectedly at her home on Dec. 24. Additional information is not available at this time. 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. We will share information about future memorial plans as soon as it is received.

The district Crisis Team will be at school throughout the week to help support students and staff members during this difficult time. Enclosed is information from Far West Family Services about grief and how to talk with your child about loss (see attached PDF). Please talk with your child to see how he/she is feeling. Additional support is available for students through the counseling center or by calling your child’s counselor at 425.408.7418.

Sincerely,

Kurt Criscione, principal

Woodinville High School senior Alli Remily has also posted a rememberance of Hockley on Woodinville Patch's Local Voices section. to read the blog post.