This is truly shocking. I feel so bad for what fear Maria went through in her last days. I don't fault her for staying on in her home... she was very brave to do so, yet sometimes it's better to flee than be brave. I regret that Maria wasn't advised to go into hiding... change her place of residence, take time off from her work, relocate, whatever was necessary to shield her from this monster.

There's a very good book by Gavin de Becker entitled THE GIFT OF FEAR and I wish every woman dealing with domestic violence could be given a free copy. Maybe that's something I can do... donate a dozen copies to a women's shelter or even the police station... the book mentions that when women are given these kinds of threats that they need to take them for their word and go into hiding.

My heart goes out to Maria's family. God be with.

I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT POLICE DEPARTMENTS SOMETIMES HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH CRIMES LIKE THIS. IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE BACKROUND OF THIS TRAGIC DAY THERE WERE SEVERAL CONTACTS MADE BY THE VICTIM TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ADVISING THEM OF WHAT WAS GOING ON; SHE OBVIOUSLY WENT THRU THE WHOLE JUDICIAL SYSTEM TO OBTAIN A RESTRAINING ORDER... BUT WHY WAS THIS CLOWN OUT ENJOYING LIBERTY ? SHOULDNT HE BE JAILED FOR TERRORIST THREATS TO BEGIN WITH ??? AND HE WAS A TEACHER ! HAHAHA SAYS A LOT....
THERE ARE NO WORDS TO XPLAIN WHAT THE VICTIMS FAMILY IS GOING THRU, MAY GOD BE WITH YOU....

This is so damn tragic. I know his family and they are all a bit off. I know that they are going through a lot of personal problems as well, but that excuses no one for abominable behavior such as this. He should have been arrested a long time ago. Why was he even allowed to go on teaching with domestic violence charges against him? He should have been relieved of his teaching credential a long time ago and not allowed near innocent students. This is truly a shame and Ana's loss is a great one for her family and friends. May God comfort them in their time of need.

Has it been confirmed that Ramirez was a teacher? It's been stated that he was an LAUSD employee.

The danger of a restraining order is that it's to be used as A LAST RESORT because such desperate measures can and often do escalate to physical violence, even death. That's why it's advised for women and anyone being stalked to go into hiding afterwards.

Apparently Maria sought refuge at her parents' home, yet as Acosta knew her family, this was not an ideal hiding place... I don't mean to add salt to injury but am coming in with my reply to advise anyone considering a restraining order to please take on an unknowable hiding location, or some place far, far away, even out of State, for a few weeks after the order is served because the first two weeks are the most intense for those served with the order... Read de Becker's GIFT OF FEAR... it has an excellent outline for self protection.

Ana was more concerned for her children having as normal of a life as possible. That's the Ana I knew....always caring. I already miss your emails! Rest in peace, k.

What a coward!!! Ana you will always be missed..I miss those e-mails too.. RIP, K.

Ana- you left a vast emptiness in our hearts. I'm sorry for not offering more help, simply saying, "be careful" wasn't enough! I'm honored to have known you. May you now rest in peace.

Re Hector Hears' comment. I found this on an lausd website: http://www.lausd.net/City_of_Angels/contactinformation.html

HUNTINGTON PARK

School Mail:
Gage Middle School (C)
Independent Study

Teacher
Aaron Raigoza
(323) 585-0026 alr5184@lausd.net