Tamara Hofmann, a high school math teacher, was suspended from her job pending an investigation into a student-teacher love triangle murder that left her 18-year-old student, Samuel Valdivia, dead. East Valley Tribune: Student killed; teacher love triangle alleged (April 13, 2009) On April 17, 2009 police reported that Hofmann did not try to help Valdivia after he had been stabbed.KPHO (Phoenix): New Details Out In Fatal Love Triangle (April 17, 2009)
Balbuena-Valdivio Love Triangle
On April 10, 2009, 20-year-old Sixto Balbuena, on leave from the U.S. Navy, went to surprise his girlfriend, Tamara Hofmann, at her home.He let himself into the house, and discovered her with Samuel Valdivia. Balbuena maintains that he was holding a kitchen knife when he encountered Valdivia because he had heard noises coming from the master bedroom that caused him to fear for Hofmann's safety. He would later tell police that he didn't intend to kill Valdivia, but "he stuck the knife in too far...the blade went in like going into butter." Bail was set at $100,000.East Valley Tribune: Student killed; teacher love triangle alleged (April 13, 2009)
References
Fast Facts
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Name
Tamara Hofmann
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Age
48 years old (in 2009)
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Reportedly romantically involved with both Sixto Balbuena (20) Samuel Valdivia 18)East Valley Tribune: Student killed; teacher love triangle alleged (April 13, 2009)
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Had been caught in a compromising situation with Balbuena when he was 17 and her studentEast Valley Tribune: Student killed; teacher love triangle alleged (April 13, 2009)
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No charges have been filed against Hofmann in Valdivia's death.
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Being investigated for potential misconduct due to the inappropriate nature of her relationship with ValdiviaChicago Tribune: Tamara Hofmann (April 14, 2009)
