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A cherished elementary school teacher from Southern California tragically lost her life, while her daughter, a prominent advocate for mental health, sustained critical injuries in an alleged home invasion and stabbing, according to prosecutors.
Sergio Meza Fraire, a 30-year-old resident of Burbank, faces charges of murder and attempted murder following the April 20 incident involving 59-year-old Arti Varma and her 25-year-old daughter, Meera Varma, as reported by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Investigators claim that Fraire unlawfully entered the home between the hours of 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. while the victims were asleep. It is alleged that around 6 a.m., he entered a bedroom and stabbed both women multiple times.
Arti Varma, who taught first grade at Bret Harte Elementary School, succumbed to her injuries. Her daughter, however, survived the attack and remains in the hospital.
Meera Varma, a stabbing survivor, has previously been photographed with former President Joe Biden at an event, as seen on her Facebook page.
Meera Varma is a prominent mental health advocate and TEDx speaker who has worked alongside high-profile figures including Oprah Winfrey, President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, according to her personal website.
She was the youngest speaker in TEDxUCLA history and has been invited to the White House to discuss youth mental health. In 2023, she appeared with Winfrey at UCLA to speak about the youth mental health crisis, focusing her work on supporting young people and encouraging open conversations around mental health.
Investigators have said the attack does not appear to have been random, though authorities have not publicly disclosed a possible motive or whether the suspect knew the victims.
Burbank stabbing suspect Sergio Fraire booked on murder, attempted murder charges. (Burbank Police Department)
“Detectives do not believe this was a random act; however, they continue to investigate the relationship between the suspect and the victims, as well as motive,” Burbank Police Department Lt. Brent Fekety told Fox News Digital.
Despite a burglary charge, police indicated there is no evidence the suspect intended to steal anything.
“It does not appear the suspect entered with the intent to commit theft,” Fekety continued.
Fraire was identified as a suspect following what police described as a comprehensive investigation involving interviews, surveillance review and evidence collection.
Fraire pleaded not guilty in court and is being held without bail. He is expected to return to court in June as the case moves forward.
Slain California teacher Arti Varma seen with daughter Meera. (Arti Varma Facebook)
“Arti Varma was a deeply beloved elementary school teacher who was senselessly taken from her family and community in an act of horrific violence,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said.
“We will take every necessary step to ensure that the defendant is held accountable for this vicious and unprovoked attack.”
If convicted, Fraire could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty, prosecutors said. A decision on whether to seek capital punishment will be made at a later date.
The investigation remains ongoing.