Murrieta School Officials Express Condolences for Former Teacher

Updated at 5:30 p.m. with information from a news release issued by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department

Murrieta Valley Unified School District officials expressed their condolences today to the family of Shelly Graesser, assistant principal at Vail Ranch Middle School in Temecula who died in a tractor accident Friday.

Before taking an assistant principal position in the Temecula Valley Unified School District, Graesser taught at and in Murrieta, according to Karen Parris, spokesperson for MVUSD.

Funeral arrangements were pending today for Graesser, who was killed Friday evening when the tractor she was riding on flipped over at her family's berry farm—Temecula Berry— in Temecula Wine Country, according to ABC7.

Graesser, 37, is survived by her husband, Mike, and two children, Daisy and Gage.

Graesser taught eight years of math and science in Murrieta prior to going to work in Temecula near the end of the 2003-2004 school year.

Pat Kelley, assistant superintendent of human resources for Murrieta Valley Unified, worked with Graesser when he was principal at Buchanan Elementary.

"Shelly was an amazing teacher and friend, first at Shivela and then at Buchanan," Kelley said. "She was a bright, warm, caring and talented educator. This is a terrible loss for her family, colleagues and the students."

The accident occurred shortly before 7:30 p.m. Friday, according to sheriff's Deputy Joshua Morales.

Shelly Graesser was trapped beneath an antique tractor on rural land off Cantrell Road in Temecula, Morales said.

"Preliminary investigation indicated Graesser was alone while operating an antique tractor on her property, when the tractor overturned and caused her to sustain fatal injuries," Morales told Patch.

A news release issued Monday said the Temecula Police Detective Bureau and Riverside County Coroner are investigating the death as accidental.

According to their preliminary investigation, Graesser was riding a tractor when the tractor flipped onto its side.

"The victim was thrown to the ground and suffered fatal injuries as a result of the accident," said sheriff's Sgt. K. McDonald, in the news release.

Anyone with information regarding the accidental death investigation was asked to call Investigator Gerry Franchville at 951-696-3600.

Temecula Valley Unified issued the following statement:

It is with great sadness that we share with you, Shelly Graesser, beloved Assistant Principal at Vail Ranch Middle School was tragically killed late yesterday in a tractor accident. She leaves behind a husband and two young children.

Grief counselors will be on hand at Vail Ranch Middle School on Monday to assist students and staff. If you have a child who knew Mrs. Graesser, we encourage you to talk to your child about this and allow them to share their feelings with you. If you have any concerns about how they are handling this, please contact the school.

For all who knew Shelly, she will be remembered for her captivating and cheerful disposition. She touched everyone she came in contact with. Always an optimist, with a sharp sense of humor – Shelly had a tremendous impact on the students and staff she worked with.

Please keep the Graesser Family and the Vail Ranch Middle School Family in your thoughts and prayers.

If you knew Mrs. Graesser, share with us your fondest memory of her.

—City News Service contributed to this report