Oneida County Sheriffs arrest Camden man in UCSD principal's death

ORISKANY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) -- Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol announced that his office has made an arrest in connection to the death of Elizabeth Gerling.

Gerling was found dead in her bed in the Town of Marcy by Oneida County Sheriffs on Tuesday, August 20. Preliminary investigations found the death to be suspicious and found that her boyfriend -- 45-year-old Jeremy Kirch of Camden -- had been at Gerling's house the night before, and had left the house early Tuesday morning.

Oneida County Sheriffs made efforts to search for Kirch throughout the day on Tuesday. He was later found by the Rome Police Department and taken to Rome Memorial Hospital for an evaluation.

On Wednesday, August 21, it was determined by the Onondaga County Medical Examiner's Office that Gehring's death was a homicide due to asphyxiation by strangulation. Investigators went to Rome Memorial Hospital and spoke with Kirch upon his release regarding his involvement.

After a short interview, he was transported to the Kurt Wyman Law Enforcement Building in Oriskany for further questioning. After further interviews, Kirch was arrested by Oneida County Sheriffs. He is being charged with second-degree Murder, a Class A-I Felony.

Kirch was arraigned in Rome City Court on Thursday, August 22, and remanded to the Oneida County Jail without bail.

Sheriffs say that if anyone is struggling with Gerling's death, they may contact the Oneida County Department of Mental Health to speak with a professional at 315-768-3660.

Although an arrest has been made in the incident, the investigation into Gerling's death is ongoing, and Oneida County Sheriffs are asking for the public's help in the investigation. If anyone has seen a gray 2019 Ford F350 -- seen in the picture below -- towing a 2021 R-Pod Camper on the morning of Tuesday, August 20 between 6 am and 8 pm, you are asked to call the Oneida County Sheriff's Department at 315-765-2226.

Gerling had been a teacher since 1999 and principal at Columbus Elementary School in North Utica since 2013. She was the daughter of Federal Bankruptcy Court Judge Stephen Gerling.

This investigation remains ongoing. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

You can watch the full press conference from Sheriff Robert Maciol below.