A naked man found running through the streets of Rome, New York was apprehended and charged with the murder of his girlfriend, a principal at a local elementary school.
The authorities charged Jeremy J. Kirch, 45, with second-degree murder after the death of Elizabeth A. Gerling, 50. Gerling, who was the principal of Columbus Elementary School in Utica and the daughter of retired U.S. bankruptcy judge Stephen Gerling, was found strangled in her bed on the morning of August 20, 2024.
Reports from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office indicate that Kirch was at Gerling’s residence in Marcy on the night preceding her death. The two were in a relationship, and Kirch made a confession during the interrogation that resulted in his arrest.
Gerling’s untimely death has left her colleagues and the local school district in mourning, especially with the onset of the new academic year. Utica City School District Superintendent Dr. Christopher Spence, while expressing his grief, highlighted her exceptional contributions as an educator and leader. Her absence, he emphasized, is a significant loss for her students and the community.
Prior to finding Gerling’s body, deputies had encountered Kirch behaving strangely. He had shown up at a stranger’s house, claiming God had guided him there. Despite warnings to Gerling about Kirch’s erratic behavior, she was discovered dead the following day.
In the hours following the murder, Kirch was spotted strolling naked through the streets of Rome and was subsequently apprehended. He was evaluated at a hospital before being arraigned in Rome City Court and is currently being held without bail at the Oneida County Jail.
The investigation into the case is still in progress. The police are seeking information from the public regarding the location of Kirch’s gray 2019 Ford F350, which was towing a 2021 R-Pod camper.
The loss of Gerling, a dedicated educator, has deeply impacted her family, friends, and students.
Kirch is scheduled for another court appearance on November 6, where his legal team has requested a psychiatric evaluation. The court will then assess his mental state at the time of the crime.
As the academic year begins, grief counselors from the Oneida County Department of Mental Health are providing support to students and faculty affected by Gerling’s tragic death.
