The grieving husband of a teacher killed in Texas school shooting has died of a heart attack.
46-year-old Irma Garcia was one of the two teachers shot and killed by the 18-year-old gunman in Uvalde, Texas.
Only two days later, her grieving husband Joe ‘died of a broken heart,’ his family said.
Irma’s cousin Debra Austin said that she “truly believe Joe died of a broken heart and losing the love of his life of more than 30 years was too much to bear.”
The couple were married for 24 years and had four children.
According to reports, Irma and another fellow teacher Eva Mireles, 44, tragically died shielding kids from the shooter’s bullets.
Garcia’s nephew John Martinez took to Twitter and wrote: “She passed away with children in her arms trying to protect them.
“Those weren’t just her students, they were her kids as well.”
In a heartbreaking tribute, Mirales’ grieving daughter also shared how her mother “jumped in front of students.”
“’I don’t know how to do this life without you, but I will take care of dad,” Adalynn Ruiz wrote.
“I will take care of our dogs and I will forever say your name so you are always remembered, Eva Mireles, 4th grade teacher at Robb Elementary who selflessly jumped in front of her students to save their lives.”
Garcia had taught at Robb Elementary School for 23 years. In 2019, she was one of 19 San Antonio-area teachers named as finalists for Trinity University’s prize for excellence in teaching.
The mother-of-four was also previously named ‘teacher of the year.’
Writing on the website of the school district before the start of classes, Garcia said: “I am so excited to begin this new school year already!”
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