Man charged with murder in deadly double-stabbing at Burbank home

A man accused in the deadly stabbing of a Burbank elementary school teacher in an attack that injured her daughter has been charged with murder and other crimes, according to the district attorney’s office.

Sergio Fraire was charged with one felony count of murder with a special circumstance of lying in wait, one felony count of attempted murder and one felony count of first-degree residential burglary. Prosecutors also alleged that Fraire personally used a deadly weapon, a knife, in the commission of the murder and attempted murder and personally inflicted great bodily injury upon the attempted murder victim.

Arraignment was scheduled for later Thursday.

The 30-year-old Fraire was arrested Monday night in the stabbing of 59-year-old Arti Varma and her 25-year-old daughter at a Burbank home, police said Tuesday. The women were transported to a hospital, where the mother died, police said.

“Members of the Burbank Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team served a search warrant at a residence in the 500 block of East Palm Avenue in Burbank, where Mr. Fraire was believed to be staying,” police said. “He was taken into custody without incident, and evidence related to the crime was recovered.”

Details about what led to the stabbings at a house in the 2800 block of North Brighton Street and a motive were not immediately available.

Detectives spoke with neighbors and reviewed security camera video as part of the investigation.

Verma was described by school district officials as a “devoted and passionate” teacher who was committed to the education of her students at Bret Harte Elementary School.

“Ms. Arti Varma, a devoted and passionate teacher at Bret Harte Elementary School, was the victim of this incident and has tragically passed away as a result of her injuries. Ms. Varma was a deeply valued member of the Burbank Unified community,” the district said in its statement. “She was known not only for her dedication to teaching, but for the care, warmth, and passion she brought to her work every day. 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.

“We extend our deepest condolences to Ms. Varma’s students, colleagues, friends, and loved ones, and to the entire Bret Harte Elementary School community as they grieve this heartbreaking loss. Words cannot fully capture the sorrow we feel or the gratitude we hold for Ms. Varma’s contributions as an educator and mentor.”

The statement went on to describe Varma’s legacy as one of “compassion, dedication, and love for her students.”

Varma’s daughter remained hospitalized, but her condition was stable, police said.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the Burbank Police Department’s Investigation Division at 818-238-3210.