Slain Cumming man ‘outstanding teacher’

Adrian Brewster, killed by wife, taught at Etowah High.

A Cumming man killed by his wife days before she took her own life Monday was an “outstanding teacher” with Cherokee County schools, district officials said.

Adrian Lavaughan Brewster, 50, joined the district in August 2015 and taught science at Etowah High School and the Polaris Evening Program. His body was found by authorities Monday morning at the Cumming home he shared with his wife, 32-yearold Jackielyn Belangel Brewster. Forsyth County sheriff ’s spokesman Cpl. Doug Rainwater said Jackielyn Brewster sent a family friend a concerning phone call or text message about 3:30 that morning, and the friend called 911.

When deputies arrived about 3:45 a.m., they found the couple’s two children, ages 3 and 9, waiting by the front door. The bodies of the couple were discovered shortly after.

According to Rainwater, investigators think Adrian Brewster had been dead since Friday. The incident was ruled a murder-suicide.

The cause of their deaths has not been released. The GBI was scheduled to perform the autopsies.

“Mr. Brewster was known as an outstanding teacher, respected by both his colleagues and students,” Cherokee schools superintendent Brian V. Hightower said in a statement. “I know our entire community joins me in sending our love to his children, family and friends.”

A memorial was held Thursday at Etowah High School.

“Adrian has been a part of the Etowah family for several years and will be missed by our staff, students and parents,” principal Robert Horn said.

The Brewsters’ children are now in the care of family and friends, Rainwater said.