A Clovis educator who suffered severe injuries in an assault has passed away after life support was withdrawn, his family confirmed.
Family Confirms Tragic Outcome
Geoff Bernardi, 37, died on Saturday, according to his mother Erin Adams, who spoke with Action News.
Clovis Police reported the incident occurred around 1 a.m. Thursday near the Dry Creek canal bank behind Pacific Grove apartments, close to Villa and Barstow avenues.
"He went outside to smoke and he can't smoke on site of the apartment complex, so he walked to the canal bank. Somebody asked him if he would give him a cigarette, and he said, 'Sure, buddy,'" Adams said. "And they hit him over the head, he went to the ground, he yelled to his girlfriend, 'Run!' And then the person continued to beat him until he was unrecognizable."
Educator Remembered
Bernardi worked as a career technical education teacher with Clovis Unified, focusing on theater productions with students. He would have turned 38 next month.
As of Friday evening, Clovis Police had not made any arrests in connection with the attack and are seeking community assistance as the investigation proceeds.
