Anthony
Super Moderator
A 14-year-old has been arrested in the murder of a 24-year-old teacher in Danvers, Mass. Philip Chism has been charged Wednesday in court as an adult.
Colleen Ritzer a Danvers High School teacher was found dead in the woods behind the school, authorities said.
Mass. police started investigating after they were notified she had not returned home from work and was not answering her phone.
Authorities discovered blood in a school bathroom and soon found the victim.
Joe Spanos, a former teacher, knew Ritzer and told reporters she would be greatly missed.
"She was beautiful on the inside and out," he said. "She's not a fighter. She probably never saw it coming," he said.
Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett did not say how Ritzer died.
"This is a terrible tragedy for Colleen Ritzer and for the entire Danvers community," Blodgett said.
Mary Duffy, who lives next door to the Ritzer family in Danvers, said she knew Colleen for almost her entire life.
"If every family had a daughter like Colleen Ritzer, it would be a wonderful world," Duffy said. "She always wanted to teach math. "She was a quiet, pleasant girl with many friends. She was just like the ideal daughter. She is. This family is a family of America, they are the ideal family, they are friendly, loving and very close." Authorities did not say if the suspect and victim knew each other and added they had no reason to believe there is another suspect.
Colleen Ritzer a Danvers High School teacher was found dead in the woods behind the school, authorities said.
Mass. police started investigating after they were notified she had not returned home from work and was not answering her phone.
Authorities discovered blood in a school bathroom and soon found the victim.
Joe Spanos, a former teacher, knew Ritzer and told reporters she would be greatly missed.
"She was beautiful on the inside and out," he said. "She's not a fighter. She probably never saw it coming," he said.
Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett did not say how Ritzer died.
"This is a terrible tragedy for Colleen Ritzer and for the entire Danvers community," Blodgett said.
Mary Duffy, who lives next door to the Ritzer family in Danvers, said she knew Colleen for almost her entire life.
"If every family had a daughter like Colleen Ritzer, it would be a wonderful world," Duffy said. "She always wanted to teach math. "She was a quiet, pleasant girl with many friends. She was just like the ideal daughter. She is. This family is a family of America, they are the ideal family, they are friendly, loving and very close." Authorities did not say if the suspect and victim knew each other and added they had no reason to believe there is another suspect.
