Colleen Ritzer, a 24-year-old math teacher from Massachusetts, was found murdered on Wednesday in woods near to the Danvers High School where she taught. A 14-year-old student, Phillip Chism, was arrested and has now been charged by police for her murder.
After failing to return home after school on Tuesday a massive search was put in place by police to try and locate Colleen Ritzer.
Around midnight on Wednesday, Chism was spotted walking near a road in Topsfield, a town near Danvers. The court documents noted that the officers arrested the suspect based on statements he had made as well as other corroborating evidence. Video surveillance placing him near the murder scene was also put forward.
Colleen was known to be a dedicated teacher who did volunteer work, in her own time, with children who have special needs.
Shirley Martellucci, an aunt of the deceased , said about her: “She always wanted to be a teacher, all her life… It’s just unbelievable that someone would take her life at such a young age.”
Her death came as a great shock to many of her students, with whom she was generally very popular. One student said: “There’s not words to describe her. She’s such an excellent teacher.”
Other students took to their Twitter accounts to express their grief about the death of their teacher, Colleen Ritzer .
One student, whose user name is samanthaawxo posted: “She always wanted to help anyone in any way she could. I honestly don’t think I will ever look at the high school the same knowing my favorite teacher died there.”
The suspect was arraigned on Wednesday afternoon in Salem, Massachusetts and is to be officially charged with the murder of school teacher Colleen Ritzer.
