A PRIMARY school teacher who allegedly murdered her partner and buried his body in their back garden has now been SACKED from her job.
Fiona Beal, 48, has been booted out of the school where she had taught for a year and a half as she awaits trial for killing Nick Billingham, 42.
She was laid off on Monday, which was the day of her first court appearance charged with murder.
The mum-of-one stands accused of killing her builder boyfriend between October 30 and November 10 last year.
Nick’s body was found on Saturday at the couple’s home in Kingsley, Northants, after four days of digging – and months after he had been reported missing.
A spokesperson for Eastfield Academy said: “We can confirm that she is no longer employed with us.
“She was employed at Eastfield from September 2020 until yesterday.”
Shocked parents, pupils and staff have been left horrified by the teacher’s arrest.
A source at the primary in Northampton said: “It has come as a terrible shock and we are doing all we can to protect and help the young children during this difficult time.”
Beal appeared at Northampton Crown Court yesterday but spoke only to give her name, age and address – the house where the body was found.
She was remanded into custody to appear before the same court on April 19.
She previously appeared at the town’s Magistrates’ Court – and was then unaware she had lost her job.
The school had initially issued a statement when she was charged at the weekend, but did not refer to her employment status.
It said: “We were shocked and saddened to hear that one of our teaching staff has been charged with a very serious offence and is now remanded in custody.
“We are particularly mindful of the impact this news will have on the children, and will be doing everything we can to support both pupils and staff as we work through this difficult time together.
“This is an appalling tragedy that will shake our school community to its roots and it’s at times like this, that we must rally around each other, support each other, and be kind to each other.”
This is terrible. My daughter’s teacher.Parent
Parents of pupils taught by Beal have also shared their terror at finding out the teacher had been nicked online.
One wrote on social media: “This is terrible. My daughter’s teacher.”
Another said: “So sad and shocking news. She was my son’s teacher.”
The gruesome discovery of Nick’s body has left neighbours reeling too, with one even declaring he is now selling up.
Resident Ian Young told how he was “absolutely freaked out” after finding out Beal was a murder suspect.
Speaking to The Sun Online, he said: “I can’t believe this has happened.
“It’s absolutely freaked me out and I’m now going to move. It’s shocking and very scary,” the dad-of-three said.
“I’ve got children aged 15, nine and 14 months and the older one is aware of what’s happened.”
DCI Adam Pendlebury, from the major crime team of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: “This remains a complex and challenging investigation and we are appealing for anyone with any information to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 26 of March 16, 2022.”
