Las Vegas NowCommunity Says Goodbye to Slain Teacher

Community Says Goodbye to Slain Teacher

The community paid respects to Matthew Cox, the Basic High School teacher found murdered last month. Two brothers, 18-year-old Jose Delatorre and 17-year-old Juan Aguirre are under arrest for the murder. Aguirre was one of Cox's students.

The two are accused of hitting Cox in the head and choking him to death. Aguirre told Henderson Police that Cox made sexual advancements toward him. But investigators say the teens also robbed Cox's home.

Prosecutors announced Wednesday they will try Aguirre as an adult.

But it was not a night to talk about the accusations made by the suspects. That will all be sorted out in the courts. On Wednesday night, a community turned out to reflect, remember, and share their sorrow.

The Basic High School choir sang with one voice, paying their respects to their leader, their mentor, their inspiration -- Matthew Cox.

"There's a lesson in everything he said. Everything was just wisdom," said Basic High School Student Choir Director Jenson Lavallee.

Lavallee says the choir has a special bond, like a family. Students say Mr. Cox's classes were special, filled with more than just music lessons. They say teaching was his passion and his colleagues at Basic High saw that dedication everyday.

"He was an energetic teacher. He was somebody who always just did everything he could to make everything special for his students," said Basic High School Band Director Mark McArthur.

It was an emotional service. Tough to say goodbye, but at the same time, a celebration of life.

"He touched the hearts of everyone and he will be greatly missed," said former student Nestor Pineda.

Cox's close students are still grieving, just beginning to grasp how a fellow choir member could be accused of taking this man's life.

"It's still unreal to me. I just want to know why," said Lavallee.

As one speaker said, Cox's song has ended, but his melody lingers on.

"I want everyone to know that he was an honest man with his morals all in the right place. He had great integrity in everything he did. He was amazing, and he touched so many lives. You can't count them," said Lavallee.

The school is taking donations to create a scholarship in Cox's memory. This young teacher was only 32-years-old.

Juan Aguirre will go before a Henderson judge Thursday morning, along with his brother, Jose Delatorre. Both are accused of strangling the teacher and stealing some expensive electronics from him.