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Vigil For Slain Shaker Heights Teacher To Be Held Monday

Aisha Fraser Mason was a 6th grade teacher at Woodbury Elementary in Shaker Heights. [Shaker Heights Teachers' Association]
Aisha Fraser Mason was a 6th grade teacher at Woodbury Elementary in Shaker Heights. (Photo: Shaker Heights Teachers' Association)

A candlelight vigil will be held Monday for Shaker Heights teacher Aisha Fraser, 45, who was killed Saturday.

According to Cleveland.com, Shaker Heights police responded to a domestic dispute around 9:30 a.m., where Fraser’s estranged husband, Lance Mason, attempted to flee the scene.

“In conjunction with our response, we initiated an investigation into the death of Aisha Fraser. Also as a result of our initial investigation, Lance Mason was taken into custody,” according to a SHPD incident report.

Shaker police have not released any additional information, but according to Cleveland.com, Mason is accused of fatally stabbing Fraser at her home Saturday morning.

Mason served on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas bench for seven years starting in 2008. During that time, he pleaded guilty to domestic violence and attempted felonious assault after beating Fraser in front of their children in 2014. He was suspended from practicing law in 2015. Mason served nine months in prison for the incident and was released in 2016.

In August 2017, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson hired Mason as director of minority business development. On Saturday, the city released a statement noting Mason had been fired, and that the city would “cooperate fully with the City of Shaker Heights in this investigation.”

“I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Ms. Aisha Fraser, especially to her children,” Jackson said in the press release.

The city’s statement said Mason had been charged with a felony offense in the east side suburb, but Shaker police were not available to comment. The clerk of the Shaker Heights Municipal Court said Monday morning that no charges had yet been filed. 

Fraser worked at the Shaker Heights Schools for 16 years. She was a sixth grade teacher at Woodbury elementary.

Shaker schools’ interim superintendent Dr. Stephen M. Wilkins issued a letter to family and staff.

“Aisha was a devoted mother and a longtime committed teacher to Woodbury students,” the letter stated. “She touched so many of our children’s lives and will be deeply missed. Her loss is unexpected and the impact of this news on our entire school community is unimaginable and profound.”

The letter notes that grief counselors will be available for students and staff.

lecia.bushak@ideastream.org | 216-916-6062