On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, deputies from the Oneida…

On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, deputies from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office responded to 9111 Birch Circle in the Town of Marcy at approximately 10am for a reported death. Upon arrival, they located a 50-year-old female deceased in her bed. The female was identified as Elizabeth A. Gerling. The investigation at the residence was conducted by members of uniformed patrol along with criminal and forensic investigators. The circumstances surrounding her death appeared suspicious, so arrangements were made to have Gerling’s body removed to the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. Investigators were able to determine that Gerling’s boyfriend, Jeremy J. Kirch, age 45 from Camden, had been at the residence the night before until early that morning. Efforts were made to locate Kirch throughout the day. He was later located by the Rome Police Department and subsequently taken to Rome Memorial Hospital for an evaluation.

On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, deputies were notified by the medical examiner’s office that Gerling’s death was going to be ruled a homicide, and the manner of death was asphyxia due to strangulation. Later that day, investigators from the criminal investigation unit responded to the hospital and spoke with Kirch regarding his involvement in Gerling’s death upon his discharge. After a short conversation with him, he was transported to the Kurt B. Wyman Law Enforcement Building for further questioning. After speaking with investigators, Kirch was arrested for murder in the second degree and he was arranged in Rome City Court this morning and remanded to the Oneida County Jail without bail. The Oneida County District Attorney’s Office assisted investigators throughout this investigation. Deputies were also assisted at the scene by members of the Maynard Fire Department

Although an arrest has been made, the investigation into Elizabeth Gerling’s death is still on-going. The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office is asking anybody who may have seen a gray in color 2019 Ford F350 towing a 2021 R-Pod camper on August 20 between 6am and 8am to contact them at (315) 765-2226.

As many in the community are aware, Elizabeth Gerling was a beloved principal at Columbus Elementary School in the City of Utica. Our thoughts and condolences go out to her family, friends, colleagues, and hundreds & hundreds of her students. If there is someone in the community struggling with processing this loss, there are professionals from the Oneida County Department of Mental Health available to speak to anyone merely by calling 315-768-3660.