Mid-Missouri communities continue to grieve after double homicide of mother and daughter
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Communities in Columbia, Fulton, and Maryville say they are mourning the losses of 43-year-old Allison Abitz and her 11-year-old daughter Jozee after they were killed in their home Sunday night.
Allison Abitz was a teacher at Bush Elementary School in Fulton for 5 years and her daughter was a student in the district.
Fulton Superintendent Ty Crain, said, "Allison was a very sweet and a very soft-spoken but accomplished teacher in our district. We were very blessed to have her as part of our district as well as her daughter."
Fulton schools will return to classes tomorrow and Crain says assistance will be available.
"We have four social workers on staff as well as our numerous councilors that are going to be available for students today before school starts, as well as throughout the remainder of the week and will continue to be available for as long as need them for any students who need to talk," Crain said.
Jozee was also a member of the Columbia Acro and Tumbling Team.
Head Coach Heather Zepp, said Jozee was able to compete in the USA Gymnastics Championship in June in St. Louis. She said Jozee had big goals for the upcoming season and it's hard knowing she won't get to watch her achieve them.
Zepp said the team is looking for support systems to help families process this tragedy and the team will "forever be missing a piece."
Allison was also a student at Northwest Missouri State University where she was pursuing her educational specialist degree.
The university released a statement Tuesday saying the community is mourning her loss and providing available counseling opportunities.
Deputies found the two dead in the 7500 block of Lavender Drive just south of Columbia after getting a call from a concerned family member late Sunday.
Captain Brian Leer did confirm that Boone County Sheriff’s deputies were in Callaway County Monday night as part of the investigation into the double homicide.
The department said no suspects have been arrested or charged.
