NEW CITY, N.Y. — Authorities say a teacher was on the phone with her boyfriend when she apparently walked in on her killer at her suburban New York apartment.

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibesays Jami Erlich’s boyfriend tried to call her back when their conversation ended abruptly. Then he called 911.

Zugibe said Monday that Erlich’s next-door neighbor, 32-year-old Eric Lau, has been indicted on murder and burglary charges.

Erlich, a popular Suffern elementary school teacher, was stabbed and bludgeoned on Nov. 29 in her Valley Cottage condominium.

Lau pleaded not guilty last Wednesday after his arrest, then fired his lawyer. A call to his new lawyer was not immediately returned.