‘A good soul;’ Whiteville community mourns former teacher, fitness center owner after deadly assault

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY-TV) — Many in the Whiteville community are grieving on Thursday after the tragic death of a prominent community member and former school teacher.

A walking trail inside Whiteville Primary School, while faded and worn, is the mark of Cynthia Hansen.

“She would let children know if you walk the black trail four times that was a mile, if you walk the green trail six times that was a mile,” said Pamela Sutton, Whiteville Primary School principal.

Sutton taught alongside Hansen in the 90s and early 2000s, she said Hansen often shared her love for exercise with students.

“Even though she was at the retirement age, she was still just very vibrant in the classroom and just full of life and wanted the best for not only their academics but for their long-term health,” said Sutton.

Hansen retired in 2004 and would later take her love for exercise to a new level and founded Stronger Body Fitness just five minutes down the road from the school.

“She represented just a good soul and that’s why the tragedy just strikes me so hard because she was a good person trying to do good things,” said Sutton.

Police responded to a call at the Fitness Center early Wednesday morning after Hansen was found conscious, but injured from an assault.

“Law enforcement was everywhere, I’m going to question what’s going on? You know because it was odd,” said Wendy Case.

Case works at Walters Surgical Associates just steps away from the fitness center and has been training with Hansen for more than five years.

Wednesday morning, Case went to train with Hansen for her regular 7 a.m. session but instead went to Columbus Regional Hospital to check on Hansen and her husband.

“Maybe she needs a couple days in the hospital, recover, that kind of thing it never crossed his mind that it was to that degree and he did make it over to the hospital but it was too late,” said Case.

Police have not released any information regarding potential suspects.

“It’s extremely tragic and to know Cynthia…she didn’t have enemies, she did not have enemies, she was well loved,” said Case.

Back at Whiteville Primary School, Hansen’s legacy remains.

“My hope here is maybe we pick up that walking trail again and put it back into place in her honor, in her memory,” said Sutton.

Police have asked the public for camera or surveillance footage that was recorded on Wednesday between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. in the area of 711 N Johnson St.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Whiteville Police Department.