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Jami Erlich of Valley Cottage, NY: Elementary Gym Teacher Killed

by Scott Wu | November 30, 2009 at 04:56 pm

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Jami Erlich was found murdered in her Clarkstown, NY., condo. Jami Erlich was a 32-year-old elementary school gym teacher at Robert P. Connor Elementary in Suffern. She was found dead on Sunday evening, reportedly beaten and stabbed. Police is looking for her neighbor Eric Lau, who failed to show up at work today.

UPDATE (Dec. 7): Eric Lau was arrested and charged with 2 counts of second-degree murder and 2 counts of first-degree burglary.

Jami Erlich was killed between 9:15 and 9:45 pm on Sunday according to an initial report. She had been a P.E. teacher at Connor Elementary School since 2000.

Police believed Eric Lau, 32, was home at the time of the murder. Detective Lt. Charles Delo said: "We feel there is a very good possibility he heard something or saw something so we want to talk to him."

While Eric Lau has not been ruled out as a suspect, there is no evidence to make him a suspect.

Lau didn't show up at work today at Pfizer in Pearl River, which Delo called unusual. He works at the pharmaceutical company as a contracted worker. Pfizer is the former Lederle Laboratories.

”He might be absent from work for innocent reasons,“ Delo said. ”He might be afraid of what he saw or he doesn't realize what he saw. We need to talk to him.“

Eric Lau is 5-feet-6-inches, about 150 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. He drives a 2007 Toyota Scion license plate number DXL-4210. Anyone with information can call Clarkstown Police Department at 845-639-5800.

Eric Lau's 2007 Toyota Scion was found in the parking lot near his mother's apartment at New City Gardens.

Link: Photo of Eric Lau from LoHud.com

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Anthony Taurisano (not verified)

at 13:03 on December 1st, 2009

Im thirteen and Mrs. Erlich was my gym teacher. God rest her soul.

fred johnosn (not verified)

at 13:08 on December 1st, 2009

I can't believe shes gone just to think everyone lives so long but they really don't. Its so sad to hear the bad news ,since she was my fifth grade teacher and i had her ever since Kindergarden.She was the best teacher I ever met and if you knew her then you'd think so too.

Alexa Salameh (not verified)

at 17:33 on December 1st, 2009

She was the best teacher ever.I will really miss her.Why would someone do that to her?I know her since I was in kindergarden.She always had a smile on her face.God toke her for a good reson.

ENA Edwards (not verified)

at 14:33 on December 10th, 2009

I say Eric Lau or watever his name is should be put in jail for life! Jami Erlich was my gym teacher when i was in RICHARD P. connor..... she was kind and was never mean,always the sweetest ever.......... anyway i hav passed my grief but i still pray for her and her family+ other friends!!!! I WISH SHE WAS NEVER MURDERED! R.I.P. Ms. Jami Erlich<3

ENA Edwards (not verified)

at 14:34 on December 10th, 2009

By the way i am also 13

jake spielvogel (not verified)

at 04:11 on January 25th, 2010

Mrs.E was my gym teacher and a good friend to I will miss her alot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I MISH SHE WAS STILL HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FROM JAKE SPIELVOGEL