CUMBERLAND COUNTY TEACHER CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE MURDER

1403361615000-stephanie-coleMany Cumberland Countians are in shock over the alleged murder of  30 year old Louis Tammaro Jr. Friday morning by revered Martin Elementary school teacher Stephanie Cole.  All the details have not been released yet, but the case has the appearance of a domestic dispute getting out of hand.  Deputies were called to the Cole residence on Ackia Drive in Lake Tansi at 4:45 Friday morning, caller said they heard shots fired next door. When the law arrived they discovered the body of Tammaro in the back yard of the residence.   Tammaro had apparently died from a gunshot to his head fired from behind.  36 year old Cole, a special education teacher, and Tammaro had been in a relationship and lived together for the past several years but had recently split up.  Friends of Tammaro indicated he had come back to the Cole residence to pick up some personal belongings.    Stephanie Cole was taken into custody at the residence then taken to Cumberland Medical Center for treatment of an undisclosed nature and released back into custody and taken to the Justice Center for processing.   Tammaro’s body has been sent to Nashville for autopsy.  Cole is being held on suicide watch  at the Cumberland County Justice Center without bond and is scheduled to be arraigned in General Sessions Court Monday. As a teacher in the Cumberland County school system, Cole was honored in 2012 with The Exemplary Teacher of the Year Award.  According to social media, Tammaro was a popular and well liked person in the community.  Cole has been charged with first degree murder which carries a maximum sentence of death if convicted.