Sunnyland Elementary School begins moving forward after principal’s fatal shooting
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Lynn Heimsoth murder
Sunnyland Elementary School Principal Lynn Heimsoth, her therapy dog Sukha and the family cat were shot to death Dec. 26, 2019, at her home west of Bellingham. Kevin Heimsoth, her husband who reportedly attempted to kill himself after her death, has been charged with murder and animal cruelty.
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In a second letter addressed to families, staff and the community late Monday, Bellingham Public Schools Superintendent Greg Baker set out plans for how the district and school will move forward after Sunnyland Elementary principal Lynn Heimsoth was fatally shot last week.
Baker also offered support resources about domestic violence, saying, “We know this is a topic that is difficult for adults to read and talk about, not to mention discuss with our children; however, we also know it touches everyone’s lives, and it is preventable.”
Baker said Amy Berreth, the dean at Sunnyland, will step in as principal, while Brian Pahl will serve as dean and continue to support staff with technology professional development.
“Amy is ... respected by students, staff and the community,” Baker wrote about Berreth. “Lynn held Amy in high regard as she mentored her over the past years, and I believe Lynn would be supportive and honored to know that Amy will be continuing the work that she led.”
Baker said Sunnyland families should expect another email later this week with details about next week’s return to class.
Heimsoth, 58, and two family pets were found fatally shot in the family’s home in the 900 block of Marine Drive Thursday morning, Dec. 26.
Her husband, 56-year-old Kevin Heimsoth, was identified as the suspected shooter by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
Kevin Heimsoth remains in serious condition Tuesday, Dec. 31, in the Intensive Care Unit at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Harborview spokesperson Susan Gregg told The Bellingham Herald Tuesday. He is under guard by law enforcement.
Lynn Heimsoth’s cause of death was declared a handgun gunshot wound to the head and was officially ruled a homicide by the Whatcom County Medical Examiner. Her time of death was declared around 10:30 a.m. Dec. 26, but initial law enforcement investigation suggests shots may have been heard around 2:45 a.m. that morning, said Whatcom County Medical Examiner Dr. Gary Goldfogel.
A candlelight vigil was held in Lynn Heimsoth’s honor at Sunnyland Elementary on Friday evening. More than 200 people attended the event.
“Lynn was a beacon of light and positivity with a heart for children,” Baker wrote in Monday’s letter. “Our hearts go out to each and every person who loved Lynn — her family, her students, her staff, her colleagues and her friends. Her light is gone too soon, along with that of her dog Sukha, a trained therapy dog and a beloved member of the Sunnyland community.”
Lynn Heimsoth was the principal at Sunnyland Elementary since July 2017. She previously served as the principal at Shoultes Elementary in Marysville for four years. She also worked for Bremerton, North Kitsap and South Kitsap school districts as an elementary teacher and instructional leader, the Thursday statement from Baker said.
In the two years she was principal at Sunnyland Elementary School, Lynn Heimsoth and her therapy dog, Sukha, showed the students, parents and community unconditional love and support.
Members of the school district’s counseling and support team will be available for students at Sunnyland Elementary on Jan. 6 when the students return from winter break, Baker’s statements said.
The district also provided resources for families to speak with their children about the tragedy, which help deal with death and grief.
Kevin Heimsoth may have admitted to killing his family on a Twitter account that appears to be associated with him in replies to the National Rifle Association, President Donald Trump and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo said he could not comment Friday on the Twitter account.
Twitter has since suspended the account.
RESOURCES
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, you can contact the following local resources for free, confidential support:
▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.
▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.
▪ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.
▪ WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/.
▪ Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org.
This story was originally published December 31, 2019 at 12:56 PM.
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