Erica Hickson, a caring and devoted career and transition teacher at AHS, was found dead early Friday August 5 in Prince William County after being reported missing from her job at a nonprofit program for young adults.

Hickson was a counselor at the nonprofit program, where she was supervising an apartment complex when she was discovered missing during her shift. Police searched the immediate area with bloodhounds, helicopters and various patrol officers but were unable to locate her body.

After a second search was conducted, Hickson’s body was found in the woods near the suspect’s apartment complex.

Police currently have a 19-year-old suspect in custody, who was a resident of the program. The man is also being charged with the murder of a second woman, a coworker of Hickson’s, who was murdered in April. The suspect knew both women and is being held without bond.

“[Hickson] had a contagious smile, an infectious attitude towards doing the right thing, and an unyielding commitment to those on whose behalf she worked,” Annandale Principal Tim Thomas said in an email to faculty.

The Annandale community will mourn the loss of Hickson as a co-worker, teacher and friend and will have support available on Monday, August 8 for students and staff.