Jennifer Lee Wilson, the 36-year-old woman found stabbed to death Sunday in her Shandon duplex, was a University of South Carolina professor highly regarded by colleagues as a shining star in the world of children’s literacy and teacher instruction.
“Her mission was just to make the lives of children and families a lot better,” said Gloria Boutte, chairman of the USC Department of Instruction and Teacher Education, who was shaken by the news of Wilson’s death. “She was very productive, but the work she did was very noble as well.”
Police late Sunday charged Hank Eric Hawes, 37, a former boyfriend, with murder. He was being held without bond at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
The killing apparently happened around 2 a.m. Sunday, when an unidentified neighbor called police after hearing a loud “physical altercation going on” and “furniture banging around,” according to a police report.
Wilson was inside screaming, “No! No! No!” the report said.
Police responding to the scene at that time got out of the car, found things quiet and “we did not have enough (at the scene) for them to force entrance,” Columbia Police Chief Randy Scott said at a news conference Monday.
Later Sunday morning, about 11:20 a.m., a neighbor — apparently the same one who had called earlier — called police again, telling them he believed “a possible homicide” had taken place at Wilson’s house, at 3721 Monroe St.
Police found Wilson’s body inside, officials said, noting she had been dead for some time.
According to arrest warrants in the case, the neighbor identified the person inside the house with Wilson as Hawes.
Hawes was taken into custody later in the day at the Palmetto Health Richland emergency room “after he attempted to commit suicide,” according to a police warrant.
Wilson and Hawes had a relationship, Scott said Monday, but “it was over.”
A bond hearing for Hawes has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 1.
It was not known whether Hawes has a criminal record.
Hawes lived several miles from Wilson in a rental house at 1420 Woodrow St. in Melrose Heights, just off Gervais Street.
His landlord described him as an “extremely well-spoken and articulate individual” who rented the house in June.
“He told me he was a financial consultant, and that he had a girlfriend who was a tenured professor at USC and he moved here to be close to her,” said the landlord, who lives out of town. “He said he was from Mississippi.”
Far more is known about Wilson.
Her 13-page curriculum vitae, on USC’s web site, includes a doctorate in literacy from the University of Missouri, numerous scholarly articles, book contributions and presentations at meetings around the world.
She had worked with children and teachers worldwide, in places like Norway, Tanzania and China, as well as at Hand Middle School in Columbia. She led writers’ camps for young people.
Since 2005, when she joined USC, she won seven grants totaling nearly $600,000, including a prestigious $40,000 Fulbright grant. Her latest award was in 2010 — a USC distinguished early career teaching award, based in part on peer reviews and student feedback.
Earlier this month, Wilson made tenure and was promoted to a $66,500-a-year salary, the university said.
Wilson’s friends said she was trying to break off any relationship she might have had with Hawes and was worried about his aggressive behavior and her safety. It was not known how long they had been dating.
“He kept ringing her on the phone and it just seemed like such possessive behavior,” said Rebecca Leigh, a professor at a Midwestern university who met Wilson several years ago as a USC doctoral student and stayed in touch. “It was a time when she was trying to create barriers with him and not invite him into her home,” she said.
Police said an initial investigation indicated Wilson had not sought help from police to keep Hawes away.
Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said Wilson’s body was found “in the front part of the house” but he could not be more specific.
An autopsy showed she suffered “multiple stab wounds” but Watts declined to say what kind of weapon might have been used.
Watts also said he could not say yet whether Wilson had been sexually assaulted.
“She was just an angel of a person. She had such a happy personality,” said Baron Holmes IV, a researcher with the S.C. Budget and Control Board who worked with Wilson on middle-school teacher education initiatives. “And she was really good at what she did — teaching teacher trainees to help children to become engaged and motivated readers.”
Boutte said Wilson’s death leaves a void on many levels. “You could always count on her to make people feel better.”
“Everything she did was to promote excellence in education for all children,” said Susi Long, a professor and early childhood education specialist. “She was truly a light in all our worlds in a big way. It’s just an unspeakable loss.”
Chief Scott said Monday he called the news conference to let people know the suspect in the crime is behind bars. “I just wanted the community to know there is no one out on the loose running. ... Our community is safe.”
The investigation is continuing, Scott said.
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