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According to public records, an elementary school teacher who was discovered dead with her two children following a gunshot in a Carolina Forest community was engaged in a custody conflict.
Laura Moberley, 42, Eric Moberley, 11, and Emily Moberley, 8, were all discovered shot to death at a residence on Centennial Circle on Wednesday, according to the Horry County Police Department and Horry County Coroner’s Office. Authorities suspect that the shooting itself took place before they were discovered.
William Moberley, Laura Moberley’s husband, sought a legal order of separation on June 13, according to records from the family court.
The most recent files were submitted on August 30, which was also the day a temporary hearing was planned. According to the records, Laura Moberley requested a financial declaration, and the guardian ad litem appointed to the case also requested and produced an affidavit and report.
A guardian ad litem is “a lawyer or non-lawyer appointed in court proceedings by the court to represent ‘the best interests of the child or minors concerned in that matter,” according to the South Carolina Bar.
Records also show that on Tuesday, the presiding judge issued a temporary consent order, but it was not immediately clear what that order said.
According to an incident report, authorities made attempts to speak with those inside but received no response. The perpetrator and two victims were discovered inside the house motionless and not breathing after officers forced entry at the front door, according to the incident report.
According to the coroner’s office, all three victims were shot to death.
Laura Moberley was a Reading Loss Interventionist at Carolina Forest Elementary School, according to Horry County Schools. The district hired her in 2018.
The school district also stated that Eric was in the seventh grade at Ten Oaks Middle School and Emily was a third-grader at Carolina Forest Elementary School.
Horry County Schools’ statement
We are at a loss for words after learning of the tragic incident that affected an entire family with ties to Horry County Schools. We lift our strongest prayers for the Moberley family and for everyone who knew them. We encourage our community to keep our students and staff in their thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.
Our district has a team of counselors made up of professionals trained to help with the needs of students, parents, and school personnel at difficult times such as this. Our counselors are available at the affected schools for any student or employee who may need or want assistance surrounding this tragedy.
In order to serve individuals in need and continue the investigation into the incident, the Horry County Police Department, Horry County Fire Rescue, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Child Fatality Unit, and the Horry County Coroner’s Office are cooperating.
The inquiry is underway, but according to HCPD, the community is not in danger.
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