Victor Falls Elementary teacher one of two victims in alleged murder-suicide | READ THE LETTER SENT HOME TO PARENTS

A Victor Falls Elementary School teacher was a victim in a case the Enumclaw Police Department is investigating as an alleged homicide-suicide.

The police department has released the names of the two, Zachary and Amy Erwin, both 42 years old. Amy Erwin was a third grade teacher at Victor Falls, in the Sumner School District.

The deaths evidently occurred Friday evening, May 27.

According to the police the couple has children, whom are with family members.

According to a release from the department, dispatchers received a call at 7:31 p.m. from relatives of one of the victims.

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Officers and emergency personnel from the Enumclaw Fire Department went to a residence in the 1700 block of Washington Avenue.

The release stated the two were found dead and a handgun was recovered at the scene.

The Sumner School District has counselors available for students and on Wednesday released the following letter, sent home Tuesday with Victor Falls students:

Dear Victor Falls Families:

As many of you may know, a third grade teacher at Victor Falls passed away unexpectedly last Friday. Amy Erwin taught here for many years and she will be greatly missed. Our staff and community will remember Mrs. Erwin as a kind and thoughtful person, dedicated to teaching and caring for the children in her classroom. She has touched the lives of many Victor Falls students over the past 12 years.

We are all shocked and saddened by this sudden news. Counselors are available as well as teachers and other staff to serve as resources for our students, staff, and families as they have the need to talk or express difficult feelings.

You can help your child simply by talking and listening to him or her. We don’t always know how a student will be affected in a crisis, but you know your child the best of anyone. Be prepared for your child to do any of the following:

• Claim not to be affected

• Ask a lot of questions

• Act agitated and angry

• Try abnormally hard to be good

• Withdraw

• Have frightful dreams

We encourage you to be sensitive with your child and to call us if we can help you in any way.

We appreciate your concern for Mrs. Erwin and your thoughts and well wishes for her family and friends.

Sincerely,

Beth Dykman, Principal