A Mississippi community is mourning the death of a beloved teacher who was allegedly murdered by two men after offering to drive them to a nearby location.

Frederick McCray Jr. was found dead in Ferriday, Louisiana on June 24. According to KNOE-TV, the Mississippi teacher gave a ride to Jimmy O'Neal Lewis and Cedrick Tennessee on the night of the murder. During the car ride, the passengers are alleged to have taken out a firearm and shot McCray Jr. Newsweek reports that the two men attempted to hide the body at a dog food plant under wood and garbage.

Police have told KNOE-TV that Lewis and Tennessee have confessed to the crime. Both suspects have been charged with first-degree murder. A motive for the murder has not been determined yet.

McCray Jr. was an eighth grade teacher in the Natchez-Adams School District at the time of his death. He had recently earned his second master's degree and was working towards earning a doctorate degree. During the most recent school year, the educator was named teacher of the year in his school district.

Following his death, the Natchez-Adams School District issued a statement that reads, "Mr. McCray dutifully taught Technology Foundations and also served as Assistant Test Coordinator. In his first year of teaching at Morgantown, Mr. McCray was named the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year. Mr. McCray’s zeal for education, infectious smile, gentle personality, fashion sense, and love for children will be missed by all of us at Natchez-Adams School District."

Beyond his work as a teacher and mentor, McCray Jr. was a beloved son, brother, friend and colleague.

McCray Jr.'s sister, Hailey Williams, said "I will always look up to him and walk in his footsteps in a way."

His fraternity brother, Jerald Johnson, said, "His energy. His smile lights up a room. He could walk in and it could be gloomy just like it was today outside. Earlier today it was gloomy but now the sun is out. His smile had that type of effect."

Memorial services will be held for McCray Jr. on June 28 in Ferriday, Louisiana at New Morning Baptist Church.

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