Police are investigating the deaths of a Nashville couple who were both discovered shot over the weekend as a murder-suicide.
Amina “Anna” Pierce, 30, is recalled as a “beloved biology teacher” and a “devoted mother of two girls” in condolences posted by colleagues following her death.
According to a news release from the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department, officers discovered Anna and her 46-year-old husband, Steven Pierce, on the morning of June 15.
Officers were responding to a complaint of a shooting when they discovered the couple dead inside their unit, both with fatal gunshot wounds.
Police claimed officers on the scene discovered a pistol beneath Steven’s body.
“The investigation shows that they argued about divorce and financial issues before he fatally shot her,” the NMPD stated in a statement.
It is also stated in the announcement that police had never attended to a domestic incident at the couple’s residence.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Amina ‘Anna’ Darbashi Pierce, a beloved biology teacher and tennis coach at Hunters Lane High School,” a Metro Nashville School District official stated on Sunday.
The letter went on to say that the district’s thoughts and prayers were with Anna and her family.
Anna was also remembered by Dr. Sue Kessler, principal of Hunters Lane High School, where she had taught for seven years.
“She enjoyed teaching biology and 9th graders because she was convinced that the relationships she built with students would help them through graduation and beyond,” Anna’s memorial to Dr. Kessler stated. “She was one of the tennis coaches and worked tirelessly to increase the number of tennis players at our school.”
Dr. Kessler went on to mention how much Anna “loved learning about leadership” and how “she was working on her licensure to become a principal” at the time of her death.
Anna also “helped other teachers as they learned to navigate the mom-teacher balance,” stated Dr. Kessler, who then noted: “We will miss Ms, Pierce’s commitment to kids, love of our school and her dedication. ”
She concluded her homage by adding, “Our thoughts are with the many people who loved her.”
