The husband of one of the teachers killed in Tuesday’s mass shooting at a Texas elementary school has died of a heart attack, family members say.
Joe Garcia died at home Thursday morning, according to social media posts and a statement on a GoFundMe fundraiser set up for the family of Irma Garcia, a fourth-grade teacher at Robb Elementary School.
Irma and Joe were married for 24 years and had four children, according to a biography on the school’s website. Read more: Texas school shooting: ‘Adventurous’ teacher, ‘sweetest little boy’ among 21 dead John Martinez, who identified himself as Irma’s nephew in online posts, said Joe “passed away due to grief.” Another nephew, Joey Martinez, confirmed Joe’s cause of death was a heart attack. “I truly believe Joe died of a broken heart and losing the love of his life,” Debra Austin, who identified herself as Irma’s cousin, wrote on the GoFundMe page for the family.
EXTREMELY heartbreaking and come with deep sorrow to say that my Tia Irma’s husband Joe Garcia has passed away due to grief, i truly am at a loss for words for how we are all feeling, PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR FAMILY, God have mercy on us, this isn’t easy pic.twitter.com/GlUSOutRVV — john martinez ❤️