A Goldsboro area school principal who was wanted for the alleged statutory rape of a 12-year-old child was found dead in a wooded area last Friday.

Police had been searching for Richard Omar Knight, age 35, who was accused of raping a 12-year-old student when a 911 call came in from two hunters. The callers indicated that they had found a man’s body in the woods.

Richard Omar Knight – Image via NC Dept. of Public Safety

Law enforcement officials from Orange County investigated the call and found Knight dead and had apparently committed suicide.

Goldsboro Police responded to a report of a sexual assault last Thursday, and a warrant for Knight was issued the following day.

The student was allegedly raped on the Dillard Academy school grounds. The school had suspended Knight after meeting with police.

On Knight’s LinkedIn page he described himself as a “very enthusiastic teacher with years of experience teaching at all levels of the Elementary school system and grades 6 and 7 of the middle school.”

The description also says that his “objective to secure employment where i (sic) get a chance of nurturing the minds of tomorrow.”

Richard Omar Knight – Image via LinkedIn

Knight’s LinkedIn page also says that he has a doctorate in Theology and Christian Counseling from Colorado Theological Seminary. He obtained teaching degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Knight had worked at Dillard Academy since July of 2016. Prior to that, he was employed by Neuse Charter School from 2011-2015.

Goldsboro police said the investigation into the charges against Knight would continue and ask that anyone with information call or text Crime Stoppers at 919-735-2255 or submit a tip at p3tips.com.