.
Feedback

Albany Teacher's Death, Possible Suicide, Announced by School District Following 'Lewd Act' Arrest

The Albany Unified School District released the following statement at 3:14 p.m. Monday. Students and parents react.

UPDATE, 5:30 p.m.

Albany Middle School sixth grade teacher James Izumizaki was found dead in his car Monday, in the Via Alamitos area of San Lorenzo, of an apparent suicide.

Izumizaki, 28, had been arrested last Wednesday in Albany on suspicion of committing a lewd act with a former student.

Alameda County sheriff's department spokesman Sgt. James Nelson said Monday that officers received a call sometime after 10 in the morning from a member of the deceased man's family who found Izumizaki in his car.

Nelson said the death was an apparent suicide but offered no specifics about the means in deference to the feelings of the family.

Izumizaki had been tentatively scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment October 24. 

His arrest had shocked residents of Albany where the 28-year-old was a popular teacher.

Ben Chenin, 15, said "Mr. I" gave his life some structure following the divorce of his parents. "He was like a big brother. He was one of the greatest influences on my life—and he still is." 

Chenin's mother, Mary Ellen Azada, said she was struggling to manage the tension between being sensitive to the needs of both Izumizaki's family and the family of the alleged victim in the accusations against him.

Original post, 3:35 p.m. 

The Albany Unified School District released the following statement at 3:14 p.m. Monday. It appears below in full. 

Albany Unified School District reports with great sadness that according to Albany Police Department, Albany Middle School 6th grade teacher James Izumizaki passed away. The Alameda County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death as a possible suicide. 

Albany Unified School District sent the following statement to families at 3:15 p.m. by auto-dialer, email, and by e-tree.

“This is an important message from Albany Unified School District with very sensitive information. It is with great sadness that we inform you that according to Albany Police Department, Albany Middle School 6th grade teacher James Izumizaki passed away. The Alameda County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death as a possible suicide. We have no other information at this time.  Students have not been informed by our staff.  We will inform the students Tuesday, October 2nd when mental health personnel will be available on site.”

Superintendent Marla Stephenson will hold a PRESS CONFERENCE Tuesday,
October 2nd at 8:30 a.m. at Albany Unified School District, 1051
Monroe Street, Albany.

Read more about this story here.

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Albany Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Loading comments ...
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Super girl at wizard world con
Announcements/Around Town  

0   Recommend J M

Super girl at wizard world con
Caryl O'Keefe May 18, 2013 at 08:30 pm
Another example of more balanced reporting from Berkeleyside article:Read More http://www.berkeleyside.com/2013/05/17/uc-berkeley-seeks-funds-to-cut-down-22000-non-native-trees/. Some of the comments are useful especially about glyphosphate. The author of the article even used his own name.
Preston Jordan May 18, 2013 at 08:24 am
The source cited in this announcement states up to 1,400 gallons of herbicide possibly includingRead More Roundup might be used rather than 14,000 gallons of Roundup will be used. Not that I am in favor of dosing the environment with petrochemicals, but I do like to make decisions based on facts. I also have to wonder about the accuracy of the source given that it is an opinion piece rather than an article.
Jack Osborne May 18, 2013 at 07:57 am
And now for the more balanced reporting: "But U.C. Berkeley wants to remove most of its 22,000Read More eucalyptus and acacia trees, then restore native species like they did in the Claremont Canyon." From this article: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=9107025
Lin B. May 18, 2013 at 02:17 pm
Ack...I didn't notice this last night. The new layout lacks the recent postings section which isRead More how I always kept up. :-(
concerned educator May 18, 2013 at 12:37 pm
I wish I were there I am teaching adults about professional problem solving skills. I would haveRead More invited the occupiers if I could!
Peter Goodman May 18, 2013 at 11:07 am
If you are upset about how the rightwing has been attacking President Obama with lies and hyperbole,Read More you should be just as upset about how the Green Tea Baggers of OTF are attacking Albany. Their attempt to derail plans we citizens negotiated and agreed to will harm our schools and our quality of life if it succeeds.