Sunnyland students head back to class with ‘outpouring of love, strength and support’
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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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Sunnyland Elementary students returned to classes on Monday for the first time since learning that their principal, Lynn Heimsoth, and her therapy dog were found fatally shot in her home on Dec. 26.
“During this difficult time it has been amazing to witness the outpouring of love, strength and support among our Sunnyland staff and families as well as our greater Bellingham community,” Bellingham Public Schools spokesperson Dana Smith told The Bellingham Herald Monday, Jan. 6.
Smith said the district’s and Whatcom County’s mobile response teams were on-site at Sunnyland Monday morning. They followed protocols with each class and continue to provide support for students or adults who need it.
“We really appreciate the extra help from our county colleagues and other community resources,” Smith said.
Our Treehouse, a resource to help children deal with grief, was available to aid families, Smith said, and they were expected to return in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Heimsoth’s 56-year-old husband, Kevin, who was identified as the suspected shooter by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, was removed from the Intensive Care Unit at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and is now listed in satisfactory condition, hospital spokesperson Susan Gregg told The Herald Monday.
Lynn Heimsoth, 58, was found dead in her home in the 900 block of Marine Drive on the morning of Dec. 26. Her death was ruled a homicide by the Whatcom County Medical Examiner.
Heimsoth’s therapy dog, Suhka — who attended school with her — and a cat were also found fatally shot.
Kevin Heimsoth was formally charged Friday with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of first-degree animal cruelty (a felony) by the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo said Kevin Heimsoth has not been formally arrested yet because he would need to appear before a judge within 72 hours, and that is not practical at this time due to his hospitalization. Elfo said deputies continue to monitor him at his bedside.
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, according to the school district.
More than 200 people attended a candlelight vigil held in her honor at Sunnyland Elementary on Dec. 27.
Approximately 650 people showed up for a celebration of life for Lynn Heimsoth, which was held at the Bellingham High School Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Jan. 4. Moles Farewell Tributes handled the service.
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 January 6, 2020 at 1:58 PM with the headline "Sunnyland students head back to class with ‘outpouring of love, strength and support’."
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