Who was Alba Marina Garcia? Lamar CISD Teacher Killed by Husband Gene Hudgson

Alba Marina Garcia, 34 years old, was a Lamar CISD elementary school teacher in Richmond, Texas, killed by her husband Gene Hudgson in an apparent murder-suicide.

Hudgson, also 34, is believed to have shot his wife and then himself in their Richmond, Texas home during Spring Break.

After days of not hearing from the couple, family members showed up at their home.

Garcia’s father, who looked through a window, saw a disturbing scene and called 911.

Authorities arrived on the scene to meet a gruesome scene of a murder-suicide.

In this article, we break down all there is to know about this senseless tragedy.

Who was Alba Marina Garcia?

Alba Marina Garcia taught fourth grade at Jane Long Elementary School in Lamar CISD in Texas.

Her husband, Gene Mark Hudson Sjogreen, was a third-grade teacher at Taylor Ray Elementary, also in Lamar CISD.

Their bodies were found Monday inside their home on Darst Field Trail in Richmond, Texas, dead of an apparent murder-suicide.

The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office said a man and his wife, both 34 years old, were found dead inside a home in the 23300 block of Darst Field Trail during a welfare check.

Neighbors say the couple’s family showed up to the home Monday because they hadn’t heard from them since Friday.

Garcia’s dad went around the back, looked through a window and was alarmed because it looked like there’d been an altercation.

He called police. They went inside the home, found the couple and the gun.

Detectives believe the husband shot his wife and then himself.

Lamar CISD released a statement on the deaths of two of their teachers: “We mourn the loss of not just colleagues but friends and educators who have touched the lives of many within our district.

“During this time of grief, our prayers and deepest sympathies are with their families, friends, students, and all who knew them. We are reminded of the fragility of life and the importance of coming together as a community to support one another in times of grief,” Lamar CISD said.

The statement concluded: “It is always difficult to share such devastating news, and the impact of this loss on our community is profound.

“We are a community bonded by our shared commitment to supporting and speaking life into our students and each other. During this time, I pray that we remember the strength we draw from our unity,” the school district said.

Alba Marina Garcia had apparently won Staff Member of the Month in January at Jane Long Elementary.

“I attended the University of Houston-main campus and I have been teaching for five years. Some of my favorites are spending time with my family, my two dogs, scrapbooking, and home decorating. I look forward to being part of the Jane Long Family,” she wrote on social media in 2019.

Neighbors of the couple were in shock to hear the news.

mariana alba garcia gene mark hudgson sjogreen jr

“They were perfect neighbors. The yard was nice. They came and went. They didn’t bother anyone,” Carolyn Meks, a neighbor, told KPRC 2′s Corley Peel.

“The victims were an African American man and a white woman. However, I didn’t see those people that much,” shared Qasam Zaman, a neighbor.

“It’s really sad what happened, and our condolences go out to their family.”

Chris Martinez, another neighbor, said, “It’s sad, it’s tragic, it’s heartbreaking. They were young, and school teachers, teaching second and third grade. I think about the children they taught.”

Garcia’s father, overwhelmed by the situation, has so far declined media comments. He mentioned he has been dealing with investigators, the principal of the school, and is not ready to face the media.

If any students and staff need support following this incident, they can call 832-223-HOPE (4673). Staff members are encouraged to contact EAP at 1-800-475-3327.

There will also be staff at both elementary schools providing counseling once classes resume on Monday.

Fort Bend County Sherif’s Office statement on two Lamar CSID teachers deaths

The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s office released a press statement revealing their investigation into an apparent murder-suicide.

It reads: “On Monday, March 11, 2024, at approximately 2:50 pm, the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office received a check welfare call from the Coast Guard for a residence located in the 23300 block of Darst Field Trail in Richmond, Fort Bend County, Texas.

Information given to FBCSO was that a family member of Gene Mark Hudgson-Sjogreen contacted the Coast Guard stating he had gone fishing and did not make it to his planned destination afterwards.

During the wellness check of the residence by FBCSO, deputies met with Hudgson-Sjogreen’s father who informed them that his son was believed to have gone fishing on Sunday and no one had heard from him since.

During the FBCSO deputies’ missing persons investigation, signs of a disturbance were observed inside the residence and forced entry was made.

Upon entering the residence, deputies found a female and a male deceased inside. Preliminary investigation by Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office investigators indicates the deaths are a result of a murder-suicide investigation in which a firearm was used.

The deceased were identified as victim/wife, Alba Marina Garcia, 34, and suspect/husband, Gene Mark Hudgson-Sjogreen, 34. Preliminary research has not shown prior calls to this residence.

Both deceased parties were educators at elementary schools in the Lamar Consolidated School District.

This remains an ongoing investigation.

“Loss of life is an incomprehensible tragedy that affects us all. Such events have profound and lasting effects, not only on the families directly involved but on the entire fabric of our society,” said Sheriff Eric Fagan.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to everyone impacted by this profound loss.”

Long Elementary School Principal Amey Frazier Letter on death of Alba Marina Garcia

Dear Long Elementary School Community,

It is with a heart weighed down by sorrow that I reach out to you today. We have lost a cherished member of our school family, Mariana Alba Garcia, a 4th-grade teacher, and friend to many within our community.

Ms. Garcia’s sudden and tragic passing leaves a void in our hearts and our hallways that words cannot adequately express. Her commitment to fostering a nurturing and inclusive learning environment made a lasting impact on Long Elementary. She believed in the potential of every child and worked tirelessly to ensure that her students believed in themselves, too.

In this time of profound loss, our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Ms. Garcia’s family. We extend our support to them, understanding that the pain of this loss is immeasurable.

To our students, staff, and families, please know that we are here for you. Counseling and support services are available to anyone who may need assistance during this challenging time. As campuses and district offices are closed during Spring Break, we want to continue to provide a resource to support our students, staff, and community. Anyone needing support may call 832-223-HOPE (4673). Staff members may also contact our EAP at 1-800-475-3327. In addition, we will have staff on campus to offer counseling and support on Monday, March 18 when we resume classes.

Ms. Garcia was an important member of our school community. Regarding her family’s wishes, I will share information about services and arrangements as I receive it.

Our Long community is strong and resilient. Together, we will navigate this challenging time, supporting each other with compassion and understanding.

With deepest sympathy,

Amey Frazier, Principal
Long Elementary School

Lamar CSID

Lamar Consolidated Independent School District, also Lamar Consolidated ISD, Lamar CISD or LCISD, is a public school district in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Metropolitan Area.

Lamar CISD includes almost 43 percent of Fort Bend County, covering the cities of Richmond, Rosenberg, Kendleton, Simonton, Thompsons, Weston Lakes, a very small portion of Sugar Land, most of Fulshear, most of the village of Pleak, the census-designated place of Cumings, a portion of the Pecan Grove CDP, the community of Lakemont, the unincorporated areas of Booth, Crabb, Foster, and Powell Point, and most of the unincorporated rural areas (including areas in Sugar Land’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) in central Fort Bend County.

Lamar CISD enrolls over 27,000 students and is the fastest-growing district in Fort Bend County.

In 2013 it received the highest possible academic rating (Met Standard) from the Texas Education Agency.

Dr. Roosevelt Nivens began his tenure as superintendent on June 1, 2021.

The 6th Junior and High School opened in the fall of 2021 with the completion of Dr.Thomas E Randle High School and Harry Wright Junior High School.

The school board approved names for 6 new campuses on April 19 , 2022, which included. 3 New Elementary Schools, 1 New Middle School, 1 New Junior High School, 1 New High School.

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