Burbank teacher fatally stabbed at home; suspect arrested

A Burbank first-grade teacher was fatally stabbed in her home Monday, and her daughter — a nationally known mental health activist — was seriously wounded in the same attack, police said.

The killing marks the second time in two years that a teacher at Bret Harte Elementary School in Burbank Unified School District has died violently, renewing grief and alarm across the community.

Arti Varma, 59, a teacher at Bret Harte Elementary School, died after she and her 25-year-old daughter, Meera, were stabbed inside their home on North Brighton Street, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. Meera Varma — a mental health activist who has worked alongside Oprah Winfrey, President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris — was hospitalized in stable condition Tuesday. Arti Varma's husband was in India when the attack occurred.

Police arrested suspect Sergio Fraire, 30, more than 12 hours after the stabbing, following a search warrant served at his East Palm Avenue residence around 10 p.m. Monday. "There was evidence found within Mr. Fraire's house that was linking him to the crime that happened yesterday," a Burbank police officer said, according to ABC7. Fraire was booked on murder and attempted murder charges and held on $2 million bail, pending formal review by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Dr. Oscar Macias, Burbank Unified's interim superintendent, issued a statement that read in part: "This news is heartbreaking. Our deepest condolences are with Ms. Varma's students, colleagues, friends, and loved ones, and with all members of the Bret Harte community who may be struggling with this loss. Words cannot fully express the sorrow we feel or the care we hold for those who are grieving."

Students described Varma as a constant presence. "She was one of the best teachers I had. Pretty sad, because every day in the morning, I always say hi to her," one first-grade student said, according to ABC7. Student Emily Gomez added: "I cried a lot. Because I'm just like, why'd you do that? For a first-grade teacher, too."

Parent Tracy Bucasas said the absence was immediately noticed. "My daughter, yesterday, she mentioned that her teacher wasn't in. And it was unlike her because she would always message the parents if something was going to happen, if she wasn't going ot be in class," Bucasas said, according to ABC7. Neighbors near the scene described hearing commotion before officers arrived. "Stop right now. Stop right now. That's what I heard, and I came outside, and then I saw all my neighbors out there," one resident said. Another neighbor told ABC7: "It's unthinkable. I can't even imagine. I'm speechless."

Police said no motive had been determined and the relationship between Fraire and the victims remained under investigation.

Family friend Victor Goli described the anguish of Varma's husband upon learning of the attack. "He couldn't even speak, right? He was hysterical. He was crying. It was insane," Goli told ABC7.