An adored elementary school teacher in California tragically lost her life, and her daughter was left wounded after a violent intrusion into their home. The horrifying incident unfolded when a man forced his way into their residence, resulting in devastating injuries.
The victims, Arti Varma, aged 59, and her 25-year-old daughter Meera, were attacked in their Burbank home on a Monday morning. Following this shocking event, authorities apprehended Sergio Fraire, 30, who now faces charges of murder in connection with Varma’s death.
Varma, a dedicated teacher at Bret Harte Elementary School, succumbed to her injuries the same day, while her daughter, Meera, is reportedly in the hospital recovering. This information comes from reports by the Los Angeles Times.
Burbank Police Department’s Lieutenant Brent Fekety explained to the media that the arrest of Fraire was prompted by witness accounts and surveillance footage. The evidence reportedly captured the suspect walking approximately three miles to the Varma residence before breaking in during the early hours between 3 am and 6 am.
In the aftermath, neighbor Victor Goli shared with ABC 7 the emotional turmoil faced by Varma’s husband and Meera’s father, who was in India at the time of the incident. “He couldn’t even speak right… he was crying,” Goli recounted, highlighting the deep impact of this tragic event on the family and community.
Neighbor Victor Goli told ABC 7 that Varma’s husband and Meera’s father was away in India when he heard the news. ‘He couldn’t even speak right… he was crying,’ Goli said.
Fraire’s relationship with Verma remains unclear, however police noted that her sister works as a special education teacher for transitional kindergarten and first-grade students at Bret Elementary School, the Times reported.
The suspect’s sister, who has not yet been identified, was also arrested on Thursday and charged with murder and other crimes, as police said they are continuing to investigate her, NBC 4 reported.
Beloved Bret Harte Elementary School teacher Arti Varma, 59, was fatally stabbed in her Burbank, California, home on Monday
Varma’s daughter, Meera, 25, was injured during the incident and remains in hospital recovering from her wounds
Suspect Sergio Fraire, 30, was arrested and charged with special circumstances murder, attempted murder and first-degree residential burglary. He pleaded not guilty
‘Detectives continue to investigate the relationship, if any, between the suspect and the victims, as well as the motive,’ Fekety told the Times.
Fraire was arrested and charged with special circumstances murder, attempted murder and first-degree residential burglary. He pleaded not guilty and remains behind bars where he is being held without bail, the outlet reported.
‘Arti was a fantastic teacher and sweet lady,’ neighbor Emma Strattan told the Times. ‘The community feels her loss especially at Bret Harte Elementary.
The beloved teacher was described by her friend, Cristina Strattan, as ‘an amazing teacher’ who ‘loved being a teacher,’ ABC 7 reported.
‘She was such a bright light. She was always so joyful, so proud of her kids,’ she continued.
Burbank Mayor Tamala Takahashi said the news of Varma’s death is ‘deeply painful and difficult to process.’
‘The tragedy which claimed the life of a beloved teacher at Bret Harte, Arti Varma, and left her daughter, Meera, several injured, has left us all carrying a heavy, collective heartache,’ Takahashi wrote on Facebook.
‘We are heartbroken for this loss, as we are all navigating together waves of shock and heavy grief. For the family and friends of Arti and Meera, I want to send my deep condolences for your loss,’ she continued.
The Burbank Arts and Education Foundation described Varma as a ‘cherished teacher’ who ‘touched so many lives with her kindness, compassion and dedication’
Surveillance footage allegedly saw the suspect walking around three miles to Verma’s home before breaking in between 3am and 6am
The suspect’s sister, who worked at the same school but has not yet been identified, was also arrested on Thursday and charged with murder and other crimes
Meera, seen above, was the youngest speaker in TED x UCLA history in 2023, she took part in a mental health summit at UCLA with Oprah Winfrey and she was invited to speak at the White House
‘For the students and educators who knew Arti, I recognize the loss of a mentor who poured so much care into our children is a unique kind of trauma.
‘For my colleagues in the mental health and healthcare community, I understand that seeing a fellow caregiver targeted and harmed in their own home is particularly jarring.
‘In the immediate aftermath of acute trauma such as this, our connection is our greatest path toward supporting one another through this difficult time. Thank you all for honoring her memory and coming together in our supportive and warm community.’
The Burbank Arts and Education Foundation described Varma as a ‘cherished teacher’ who ‘touched so many lives with her kindness, compassion and dedication.’
‘Her absence will be deeply felt across the BUSD community. We hold her family, students and colleagues in our thoughts and send our deepest condolences during this time of profound grief,’ the foundation wrote on Facebook.
In a statement to ABC News, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said: ‘Arti Varma was a deeply beloved elementary school teacher who was senselessly taken from her family and community in an act of horrific violence, leaving an entire community grieving in its wake.’
‘I extend my deepest sympathies to the victims’ family, Bret Harte Elementary School’s staff, students and parents and the entire Burbank community,’ he added.
Varma’s daughter was a nationally recognized mental health activity, the Times reported.
Fraire now faces life in prison without the possibility of parole should he be convicted in Varma’s murder
Fraire was accused of sexual assault in 2019 while employed at World Market. He denied the accusations and the case was withdrawn with both agreeing to stay away from each other
Meera was the youngest speaker in TED x UCLA history in 2023, she took part in a mental health summit at UCLA with Oprah Winfrey and she was invited to speak at the White House, her website stated.
Fraire, who attended Burbank High School, was known as a role model who ran cross-country until he graduated in 2013, the Times reported.
Andres Pulgarin, a former school peer, told the outlet: ‘I had only positive experiences with him. He was always a person who would cheer teammates on – both on and off the field. He was a high achieving student who took Advanced Placement classes all of high school.’
But Pulgarin said he looks completely different than his high school days, and added that he seemed ‘disheveled.’
Fraire was accused of sexual assault by a female coworker in 2019 while employed at World Market and working toward his degree in psychology, the outlet reported.
He denied the accusations, and the case was eventually withdrawn with both parties agreeing to stay away from each other.
Fraire now faces life in prison without the possibility of parole should he be convicted in Varma’s murder.
The Daily Mail reached out to Bret Harte Elementary School for comment.
