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A typically serene neighborhood in Southern California has been thrust into turmoil following a tragic incident that occurred in the early hours of the morning. A brutal attack inside a family home has left a mother dead and her daughter in hospital care, while authorities have taken a suspect into custody.
The Burbank Police Department has apprehended 30-year-old Sergio Fraire in connection with the attack. He faces charges of murder and attempted murder. As of now, these charges await formal review by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The violent episode unfolded shortly after 6 a.m. on April 20, at a residence located on North Brighton Street in Burbank. Responding to an urgent call for assistance, officers arrived at the scene to discover a mother and her daughter suffering from stab wounds.
Emergency services swiftly transported both victims to a nearby hospital. Tragically, the mother, identified by police as 59-year-old Arti Varma, succumbed to her injuries. Her 25-year-old daughter, however, survived the attack and is reported to be in stable condition.
This incident has sent shockwaves through the otherwise peaceful community, as residents come to terms with the grim events that have unfolded in their midst.
Arti Varma’s daughter, Meera Varma, who survived the attack, is a nationally recognized mental health advocate and TEDx speaker, according to her personal website. She has worked alongside prominent figures, including Oprah Winfrey, President Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Kamala Harris and U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy.
Stabbing survivor Meera Varma with former President Joe Biden at an event (Meera Varma Facebook)
Arti Varma was a first grade teacher at Bret Harte Elementary School, according to the school’s website. Fox News Digital reached out to the Burbank Unified School District.
“Ms. Varma was a deeply valued member of the Burbank Unified community. She was known not only for her dedication to teaching, but for the care, warmth and passion she brought to her work every day,” the district said in a statement, according to CBS.Â
“Her commitment to her students, her colleagues and the Bret Harte Elementary School community was evident in the relationships she built and the lasting impact she had on the lives of those she served. Her loss is felt profoundly across our district.”
“She was an amazing teacher,” family friend Cristina Strattan told ABC7. “She was such a bright light. Always so joyful.”
The violence has rattled residents in the typically quiet neighborhood, where neighbors say this kind of crime is rare.
Police investigate a deadly stabbing at a California home where a mother was killed. (FOX 11 Los Angeles)
“I’m still shocked,” Strattan told KTLA. “I can’t even wrap my head around who would do such a thing.”
Another neighbor, Victor Goli, told ABC7 the attack may have involved someone breaking into the home and said Meera was initially “fighting for her life” in the hospital.
Slain California teacher Arti Varma with daughter Meera. (Arti Varma Facebook)
Goli said Arti’s husband and Meera’s father was out of the country when it all happened.
“He couldn’t even speak. … He was crying,” Goli told ABC7.
Police said the arrest came after a daylong investigation that included interviewing witnesses, canvassing the neighborhood and reviewing surveillance video.
Around 10 p.m. Monday, SWAT officers served a search warrant at a residence on East Palm Avenue, where Fraire was believed to be staying. He was taken into custody without incident, and investigators said they recovered evidence linked to the crime.
Burbank stabbing suspect Sergio Fraire was booked on murder, attempted murder charges. (Burbank Police Department)
Police have not said whether the suspect knew the victims, and a motive has not been released.
“The relationship, if any, between the suspect and the victims remains under investigation,” authorities said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Burbank Police Department’s Investigation Division at 818-238-3210.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Burbank Unified School District and representatives for former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for comment.