Arti Varma was killed and her 25-year-old daughter Meera Varma was critically injured in their home on April 20
Credit: Burbank Police Department
NEED TO KNOW
- A California man has been charged in the murder and attempted murder of a school teacher and her daughter
- Sergio Meza Fraire, 30, could face the death penalty for his crimes
- He is accused of entering the home of Arti Varma, 59, and fatally stabbing her while leaving her daughter Meera Varma, 25, seriously injured
A California man could face the death penalty after allegedly killing a school teacher and seriously injuring her daughter.
On Thursday, April 23, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that 30-year-old Sergio Meza Fraire of Burbank has been charged in connection with the April 20 death of first-grade teacher Arti Varma, 59, and the attempted murder of her 25-year-old daughter, Meera Varma.
Fraire appeared in court on Thursday morning where he pleaded not guilty at his arraignment.
Credit: Meera Varma/LinkedIn; Burbank USD
He was charged with one felony count of murder with a special circumstance of lying in wait, one felony count of attempted murder and one felony count of first-degree residential burglary. He is being held without bail.
It is not immediately known if the suspect has retained legal counsel.
At approximately 6 a.m. on April 20, Burbank police officers and paramedics responded to the 2800 block of North Brighton Street after reports of two individuals being stabbed inside of residence, the Burbank Police Department previously said in a press release.
On Thursday, the district attorney’s office stated that authorities believe Fraire used a knife to commit the crime after breaking into their home while they were sleeping.
“Arti Varma was taken to a hospital, where she died of her injuries. Her daughter Meera Varma remains hospitalized,” the district attorney’s office said.
Arti was a first-grade at Bret Harte Elementary School in Burbank, ABC 7 previously reported.
Her friend, Cristina Strattan, told the news station that the educator “was an amazing teacher, and she loved being a teacher."
Credit: Meera Varma/LinkedIn
"She was such a bright light. She was always so joyful, so proud of her kids," Strattan continued.
Varma is a mental health advocate and public speaker, who worked with Oprah Winfrey, former President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris throughout her career, according to the news station.
“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,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement.
Credit: Meera Varma/LinkedIn
“I extend my deepest sympathies to the victims’ family, Bret Harte Elementary School’s staff, students and parents and the entire Burbank community,” he continued. “Our Bureau of Victim Services is available to provide trauma-informed support to the surviving victim and their family as they cope with this unfathomable loss. We will take every necessary step to ensure that the defendant is held accountable for this vicious and unprovoked attack.”
Authorities have not released a possible motive, and it is unknown if Fraire had any connection with his victims prior to the attacks.
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His next court date will be a preliminary hearing on June 12.
If convicted as charged, Fraire faces up to life in state prison without the possibility of parole or death.
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