Friend arrested in strangulation death of Utica elementary school principal

UTICA, NY — A suspect has been arrested in the strangulation death of an elementary school principal in the Utica City School District.

Elizabeth Gerling, 50, was found dead in her bed at her home in the town of Marcy by Oneida County Sheriff's officials on Tuesday. The sheriff's office reports that the circumstances of her death appeared suspicious, so arrangements were made to transport her body to the Onondaga County Coroner's Office for an autopsy.

On Wednesday, the sheriff's office was informed by the coroner that Gerling's death was ruled a homicide and the cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation by strangulation.

Investigators were able to determine that Gerling's boyfriend, Jeremy J. Kirch, 45, of Camden, had been at her apartment throughout the night and into the early hours of Tuesday morning. Kirch was located by Rome Police officers on Tuesday and taken to Rome Memorial Hospital for evaluation.

After Gerling's death was ruled a homicide, sheriff's office investigators went to the hospital to speak with Kirch about his involvement in Gerling's death. Kirch was taken to the Kurt B. Wyman Law Enforcement Building for further questioning, where he was arrested on a charge of second-degree murder after speaking with investigators.

Kirch was remanded to the Oneida County Jail without bail. Although Kirch was arrested, the investigation into Gerling's death is ongoing, according to the sheriff's office.

The Oneida County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone who saw a gray 2019 Ford F350 towing a 2021 R-Pod camper between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. on August 20 to contact them at (315) 765-2226.

“As many in the community know, Elizabeth Gerling was a beloved principal at Columbus Elementary School in the City of Utica,” the sheriff's office wrote in a press release. “Our thoughts and condolences go out to her family, friends, colleagues and hundreds upon hundreds of her students.”

If there is anyone in the community struggling to cope with this loss, professionals from the Oneida County Department of Mental Health are available to speak to anyone by calling 315-768-3660.