More shocking details are coming out in the murder of a Danvers, Massachusetts high school teacher. The 14-year-old boy suspected of the murder has been charged as an adult and is being held without bail.
As previously reported, Colleen Ritzer, 24, was found dead after being reported missing Tuesday night. Philip Chism, 14, was also reported missing that night and he was found Wednesday morning.
Prosecutors have decided to charge Chism as an adult, which has allowed them to release Chism’s name as the suspect, notes Reuters. It could laos mean a longer prison sentence as opposed to time in a juvenile facility if he is convicted.
Chism was arraigned Wednesday afternoon at Salem District Court and is being held without bail, reports Boston.com.
Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett confirmed that police searched the school after Ritzer was reported missing and discovered blood in a bathroom. Her body was found in the woods behind the building. According to sources for CNN, Chism allegedly put the body in a recycling bin to take it out of the building. He had used a box cutter he took to school with him as the murder weapon.
Evidence showed that Chism “assaulted and subsequently murdered Colleen Ritzer and disposed of her body near the high school ground,” according to a police report. It also stated, “Ritzer and the juvenile are known to each other from the school,” notes Boston.com. Detectives made the arrest after speaking with Chism and going over video surveillance.
Boxton.com also reported that Danvers High reopened today.