New York Man Found Running Around Naked Arrested After Girlfriend’s Strangulation Death, Police Say

A man in New York was arrested when, authorities claimed, he was found running around naked near a historical site after he allegedly killed his girlfriend.

On Aug. 20, officers responded to a report of a death in the town of Marcy, according to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.

At the scene, officers located the victim, 50-year-old Elizabeth Gerling, dead in her bed.

According to the medical examiner’s office, Gerling was strangled.

Police said Gerling’s boyfriend, 45-year-old Jeremy Kirch, was at the victim’s house on the night of Aug. 20 until early the next morning.

Local police in Rome, New York, later found Kirch unclothed near the Fort Stanwix National Monument, according to court documents obtained by the Daily Sentinel. He was then transported him to a hospital for evaluation.

Once Kirch was discharged, investigators arrested him on a charge of second-degree murder, officials said.

On Aug. 22, he appeared in court and was remanded to the Oneida County jail without bail.

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Gerling reportedly was a beloved principal for Columbus Elementary School.

"Miss Gerling was an amazing educator, a beloved principal and dear friend to so many throughout the entire community," Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol told the Daily Sentinel.