Boyfriend of 'beloved' school principal found naked near monument after allegedly fatally strangling her
08/22/2024 2:07 pm PDT
MARCY, N.Y. (TCN) -- Authorities recently arrested a man they reportedly found running around naked after he allegedly killed his girlfriend.
On Tuesday, Aug. 20, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a death on Birch Circle, where they found 50-year-old Elizabeth Gerling deceased in her bed. The medical examiner’s office determined Gerling had been strangled to death.
Gerling’s boyfriend, 45-year-old Jeremy Kirch, was reportedly at the victim’s house on the night of Aug. 20 until early the next morning. Local police in Rome, New York, later found Kirch and transported him to a hospital for evaluation. According to the Daily Sentinel, officials initially discovered Kirch unclothed near the Fort Stanwix National Monument.
Investigators spoke with Kirch upon his hospital discharge and arrested him on a charge of second-degree murder. The sheriff’s office said he appeared in Rome City Court on Aug. 22 and was remanded to the Oneida County Jail without bail.
Authorities described Gerling as a "beloved" principal for Columbus Elementary School. Deputies said, "Our thoughts and condolences go out to her family, friends, colleagues, and hundreds and hundreds of her students."
In a statement obtained by the Daily Sentinel, Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol said, "Miss Gerling was an amazing educator, a beloved principal, and dear friend to so many throughout the entire community."
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