Death of Rockland Teacher Probed as a Homicide

The death of an elementary school physical education teacher was being investigated as a homicide, police said Monday.

The body of Jami Erlich, 32, was found Sunday evening at her Rockland County home, Clarkstown police Sgt. Nicholas Lafasciano said Monday.

Investigators were not releasing details of the crime pending an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Police were interviewing several people, including Erlich's family and neighbors, Lafasciano said.

Erlich, who earned her degree in physical education at Ithaca College, had joined the Ramapo Central School District in 2000 as a teacher at Connor Elementary School in Suffern, N.Y., said the district's superintendent, Robert MacNaughton.

"She was well respected and well liked by staff members. She will be sorely missed," he said.