Emilee Diane Hurst, an 18-year-old female from Selma, Texas, tragically lost her life on April 11, 2016. She was a senior at Judson High School and was remembered as a lively, friendly young woman who dedicated her life to serving others. Emilee was passionate about animals and was part of the school’s Future Farmers of America program, where she raised prize-winning goats and sheep.
She was also a talented dancer with Judson’s Galaxie dance team and taught Sunday School to third graders at Grace Community Children’s Church.
The circumstances surrounding Emilee's death were particularly tragic. She was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend, Mark Villarreal, who was 20 years old at the time. The incident was determined to be a murder-suicide, as Villarreal took his own life shortly after shooting Emilee. Police were called to the scene around 6:15 a.m. after receiving a disturbance call involving a gun. Another person was in the home at the time and managed to escape and call for help.
The community was deeply affected by Emilee's death, and her friends and family gathered to remember her at a Celebration of Life service held at Judson High School’s Performing Arts Center. Many attendees wore pink shirts in her honor, as pink was her favorite color. The Judson Independent School District also provided additional counseling and guidance staff to support students during this difficult time.
The investigation into Emilee's death concluded with the determination that it was a murder-suicide, and no further arrests or litigations were pursued. The case remains a somber reminder of the impact of relationship violence and the importance of mental health support for young people.
