Investigators probe DeKalb teacher’s relationships with other students

Investigators are looking at whether a DeKalb teacher, found dead after being accused of having a sexual relationship with one of his students, had been inappropriate with  other students. 

Zachary Meadors, 28, of Lawrenceville, was found dead Wednesday in a vehicle in the 1200 block of Scenic Highway in Gwinnett County late Wednesday afternoon. Officials said the cause was believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

Friday, he was accused of inappropriately touching a male student. 

Meadors disappeared Saturday after dropping off several letters and an iPad at his parents’ home, including instructions for splitting his money.

Documents suggest Meadors was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 12-year-old male Freedom Middle School student. Meadors was an English teacher there. He faced several charges, including child molestation. 

According to an arrest warrant, students in a sex trafficking seminar were asked if they knew anyone engaged in an inappropriate relationship and turned the 12-year-old boy’s name in. Investigators determined Meadors sent explicit text messages and photos to the boy, and Meadors admitted to meeting with the boy away from school, including public parks and Meadors’ home.

DeKalb County School District Superintendent Steve Green said Meadors, who taught in the district for two years, was removed from the classroom Friday.

“It’s sad on many different levels,” Green said Thursday. “The school community network tends to let us know things. That’s one of our best resources finding out things that we want to be investigated. Most times, (investigators) run into things that turn into dead ends, but you investigate everything.”