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A judge sentenced Jeremy Kirch, 46, to three and a half to 10 years in prison for the manslaughter of Elizabeth Gerling, the principal of Columbus Elementary School in Utica. Kirch pleaded guilty to the crime, which occurred at Gerling's home on Birch Circle in Marcy in August 2024.
According to CNY Central, Kirch admitted to strangling Gerling after voluntarily stopping his mental health medication and using illegal drugs. Gerling was discovered dead in her bed by two Utica City School District employees when she failed to attend a scheduled meeting and did not answer phone calls.
The Spectrum News reported that Kirch was found naked by Rome Police Department officers the morning after the incident. Gerling, who had recently celebrated her fiftieth birthday, served the Utica City School District for over 20 years, including 11 years as principal at Columbus Elementary School.
Kirch's sentencing marks the end of a case that began with a murder charge, later reduced to manslaughter following his guilty plea.