At George Ranch High School a memorial sprung up Monday morning. Students and staff shared their grief over the murders of beloved head football coach Trevor White and instructional coordinator Destiny Pickett.
"They seemed like good people to me," said student Blake Sisco. "They were both young and I don't think they deserved to go this early."
Both White and Pickett just started work at the new school last fall. Counselors helped students work through their grief and their disbelief.
Parent Garland Harris said, "I'm pretty sure they're right on it, and they're taking care of the kids that are very emotional about it."
Police say White and Pickett were shot to death at a Rosenberg hotel Friday afternoon. White's body was found in a room there. The bodies of Pickett and her estranged husband were just outside that room.
Rosenberg Assistant Police Chief Dallas Warren said, "I'd characterize Mr. Pickett as being the actor in this case."
Warren wouldn't characterize any relationships between any of those involved, and wouldn't reveal what the motive might have been. But we know from court documents that Clifford and Destiny Pickett were going through a contentious divorce. She filed in February.
"Most people, it should be pretty obvious as to what occurred," Warren said.
The school's principal sent home a letter Monday reading in part, "We expect students to react in different ways to the death of a teacher and a coach. We understand there will be a variety of emotions and responses during the grief and healing process."
Most would agree -- plenty of emotion, few hard answers. The Picketts leave behind two children, ages 12 and 9. Police say Coach White was married. We don't know if he had children.
Funerals for Destiny Pickett and Trevor White are set for Thursday.
Lamar CISD released a statement on Monday which reads in part:
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Lamar CISD is deeply saddened by the loss of two George Ranch HS staff members on Friday, April 1. Both of these staff members had a positive impact on many students during their educational careers.
Members of the District's Crisis Counseling Team, who are trained to deal with grief counseling, will be available to students and staff members throughout the day on Monday. This intervention has been implemented to respond to this tragic event and to help our students and their families get back to a regular instructional day and extracurricular activities as soon as possible.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the White and Pickett families.
