The Utica community is mourning after learning an elementary school principal in the city was allegedly killed by her boyfriend. Authorities have charged Jeremy Kirch with second-degree murder, saying he strangled Elizabeth Gerling in her home in the town of Marcy.

Case paperwork shows Kirch engaging in unusual behavior on the day before Gerling’s body was discovered.

Sheriff's deputies on Monday said a caller told them a man had shown up at their home, saying he had been led there by God, and put sunflowers out on the lawn. They say they spoke to Kirch during the encounter, adding that some of his statements were irrational, but he was not violent at any point.

Members of the sheriff's office then contacted Gerling, who confirmed Kirch was her boyfriend. They told her Kirch was heading to her home, and advised her to keep watch over his mental health.

Gerling, the principal at Christopher Columbus Elementary School who had just celebrated her 50th birthday, was discovered dead in her bed the next day, according to police.

The police report from that day recounts a phone call between Gerling’s son and Kirch during which Kirch said he had left her home around 6 a.m. after leaving flowers and a ring on the front doorstep as a proposal.

Law enforcement officials then began their investigation and search for Kirch. On Wednesday, police arrested him in the city of Rome, where he was walking around naked. Authorities say Kirch made an admission during questioning that led them to formally charge him.

Onieda County Sheriff’s Office filed an extreme risk protection order (ERPO) that allowed them to expand their search for Kirch.

"Allows us to search certain places so when we were looking for him, obviously we wanted to search his home or an address that we had for him other than her address," Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol said. "Obviously, vehicle, to be able to search his vehicle legally, that’s one thing that the ERPO does for us. It gives us that authority to search, and what it also does, it prohibits someone from purchasing a future firearm."

A firearm missing from the residence has not been located.

The sheriff’s office is now asking for the community to let them know if they saw Kirch’s vehicle and camper between Tuesday and Wednesday as the continue their investigation.

“This news comes as a shock to all of us,” Utica schools Superintendent Christopher Spence said. “Ms. Gerling was not just an exceptional educator and leader but also a dear friend and colleague to many. Her passing will undoubtedly have a deep impact on our staff, students, and the entire Utica City School District community.”