Community remembers beloved musician, teacher murdered
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. - Sandy Springs Police have released the name of the man killed over the weekend by the same suspect investigators said killed his mother in Cobb County.
A community is remembering 53-year-old Bill Haynes, a beloved music teacher and conductor and director for the Alpharetta City Band.
“He had a tremendous impact on people because he was open, he was very congenial and he did whatever he could to help them,” said Don Nahser, founder and program supervisor of Alpharetta City Band.
Nahser said he hired Haynes 16 years ago after a month long audition.
“After he finished his month, I said, well does anybody else have any other suggestions and they said why, he is perfect for the job and everybody likes him,” said Nahser.
Sandy Springs Police said Haynes was found stabbed several times at the Extra Space Storage facility on Roswell Road Saturday night. Investigators said Hayne’s red Audi was missing and found at the scene of an earlier homicide in Cobb County.
Police said 31-year-old Justin Hess killed his 61-year-old mother at their home and believe he killed Haynes after fleeing the scene.
“Before I could do anything to notify the band I just had to verify it because I could not believe it, it was so senseless,” said Nahser. “He was at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Monday students and staff at E. Rivers Elementary School learned of the tragic news. The Atlanta school district issued the following statement to FOX 5.
“Atlanta Public Schools and the E. Rivers Elementary community extends heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Bill Haynes. Mr. Haynes came to us from Fulton County Schools and has been a part of the Rivers staff family for 16 months. This loss touches all of our students and staff as Mr. Haynes taught music and drama for grades kindergarten through fifth.”
Nahser said he will remember his friends humor, talent and kind heart.
“He would bend over backwards to help anybody,” said Nahser. “He will be truly missed.”
Authorities said Hess was arrested and charged with felony murder and aggravated assault.
DON'T MISS: Olympic Gold Medalist draws school teacher for Secret Santa