Slain victim identified

Lafayette instructor killed; UC Berkeley student held in case

BERKELEY — A popular teacher at a Lafayette outdoor education center has been identified as the woman killed in a violent stabbing Friday that left another woman badly injured.

A suspect in the attacks, identified as UC Berkeley student Pablo Gomez Jr., 24, was arrested Saturday in Burbank and is scheduled to be returned to Berkeley for formal charging.

Authorities have not identified the woman officially, but friends and co-workers said she was 27-year-old Emilie Inman, a native of France who was a highly respected nature program and middle school science instructor at Sienna Ranch.

In a statement, Sienna Ranch director Chris Lauf said, “Emilie Inman was a brilliant, passionate, creative teacher and a sparkling, joyful, sincere person. Her loss has shaken our community to the core. Our deepest condolences go out to Emilie’s family, friends, students and coworkers.

“Since her passing, we have been inundated with messages from the families of current and former students who were touched by her teaching. As one parent said, ‘She brought a light to her subject, and her passion shone through her work.’”

Another parent of Emilie’s special needs students shared: “Emilie knew just how to transport this diverse group of friends from one world to another filled with fascinating plants, fuzzy-tailed friends, mud puddles, hillside daydream, and original songs she had written. As the group evolved to include more students from our extended community, Emilie continued to embrace ALL children, especially those with special and complex needs.”

Lauf said Inman “challenged her students and her coworkers to be their best selves, to live life bravely and beautifully. The memories of the compassion and conviction with which she lived her life will continue to serve as enduring lessons to all those who knew her.”