PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The victim of Tuesday's murder at Pensacola Fitness, Carla Williams, is being remembered as a woman who devoted her life to loving people.
Williams also loved basketball and working out. She was a basketball star at Pensacola State College, later becoming an assistant coach at the school.
Williams' colleagues and former players were in disbelief Tuesday night.
Court documents track her troubled relationship with her alleged killer, Kennon Farrow, who was arrested in Escambia County Tuesday night.
Vicki Carson was Williams' coach at Pensacola state college in the early 90s.
- Channel 3: "When's the last time you talked to her?"
- Carson: "Two nights ago. Texted her yesterday."
Williams served as the assistant coach under Carson for six years, and then became a math teacher at PSC.
Williams and Carson were supposed to meet for lunch Tuesday afternoon.
"Just joking about where she wanted to eat lunch because she always picked," Carson said.
Carson said Williams told her she previously dated Farrow, but she had taken a break from the relationship.
"A couple of months ago, I asked her if she had the same beau and she said we're taking a break," Carson said. "He's very possessive."
According to court documents, Farrow and Williams had a domestic violence hearing scheduled for June 1.
Farrow was charged in February with domestic battery by strangulation.
According to the Escambia County Clerk of Courts, Farrow had domestic violence related cases dating back to 2018.
"Out of all the people I coached, there were hundreds of them -- Carla being one of them -- she would be the least likely domestic violence situation," Carson said.
Channel 3 also spoke with Tameka Kelly about Williams.
"She was a very energetic positive person," Kelly said.
Williams was her assistant basketball coach at PSC. She heard the news Tuesday morning and confirmed the worst in a phone call to Coach Carson.
"I was speechless, broke out in tears," Kelly said. "Not coach Williams. No it couldn't be her."
Pensacola State College released this statement Tuesday on Williams:
We are very saddened to hear of the death of our PSC family member and colleague, Carla Williams. Carla was a beloved PSC employee for over 24 years working in Athletics, Collegiate High, and the Mathematics and Computer Science Department, where she had a positive impact on the lives of many PSC students and employees. We understand this loss will be difficult for many of our students, faculty, and staff. The College is providing mental health counselors to anyone who may need to speak with someone. Counseling staff and Pirates CARE Team members will be available in Building 1 until 5pm Tuesday, May 24, and from 7 am-5 pm Wednesday, May 25. If you would like to make an individual appointment with a counselor for this week or next week, please e-mail WellnessServices@pensacolastate.edu PSC employees can also access counseling services provided by Lakeview Center via the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by calling 850-469-2383. The College offers our deepest condolences to Carla’s family, friends, and loved ones. She will be greatly missed.