Woman charged with murder in stabbing of her mom

BERKELEY >> A 23-yearold woman was charged with murder Wednesday in the fatal stabbing of her 60-year-old mother on Sunday inside the apartment they shared, according to police and court documents.

Gabriella Riemer is accused of killing Heather Riemer, who was found stabbed numerous times about 2:45 p.m. Sunday inside their apartment in the 1300 block of University

Avenue.

According to court documents, the gruesome discovery was made after Gabriella Riemer called police to say she had stabbed her mother in self-defense.

Officers found Gabriella Riemer in the building lobby covered with blood but she did not have any visible injuries, nor did she report any injuries, the documents say.

Heather Riemer was declared dead at the scene.

Police have not said whether a weapon was recovered.

In a later interview with investigators before she was arrested, Gabriella Riemer “indicated she did not remember much of what had occurred,” the documents say.

When authorities played a tape of her telephone call to police, Gabriella Riemer “laughed hysterically,” the records say.

Seeking a motive

Investigators have not disclosed a possible motive for the attack. Police also would not comment about whether officers had been called to the apartment before.

Until recently, Heather Riemer, the mother of three adult children and the grandmother of one, had worked as a program coordinator for Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services, an Oakland-based mental health care agency.

In a statement, leaders at the organization called her “a valued former colleague and community member.

“Heather worked tirelessly in the peer to peer movement and was willing to share her lived experience and strength to others struggling with mental illness and tobacco addiction. She was part of our outreach team for a year and worked on the tobacco cessation program for four years.”

She was extremely active with the agency's Organizing Community Change initiative and had received an award for her work, the statement said.

“Our community is grieving but we will continue to support each other and all those who live with mental health struggles as Heather did throughout her lifetime,” the statement said. “We know that these spaces were very important to Heather and we strive to maintain a supportive community in her honor.

“If you wish to honor Heather's memory, the best way to do so is by addressing your mental health, whether that's in groups or counseling.

“Heather was a bright light that illuminated those around her.”

Gabriella Riemer is scheduled to enter a plea Thursday. She was being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail.