The friends and relatives wore pink, Colleen Ritzer's favorite color, and many who gave . Defense lawyers, meanwhile, called on Dr. Thomas Grisso, a retired University of Massachusetts professor and expert in juvenile psychiatry. On October 22, 2013, math teacher Colleen Ritzer of Danvers High School was fatally shot by Philip Chism, a 14-year-old ninth-grader. In response to Osler's motion to dismiss, MacDougall for the first time described in open court the prosecution's theory about why Chism attacked Ritzer in a girls bathroom at the school on Oct. 22, 2013. The sentence of life in prison, with the possibility of release after 40 years, was less than the 50 years prosecutors had asked Essex County Superior Court Judge David Lowy to impose. Earlier in the trial, the jury was shown video from the same camera showing Chism, then 14 years old, following Ritzer down the same hallway to the restroom where she was killed. Danvers public schools were closed today as a result of the teacher's death. She has two siblings in the family named Laura Ritzer (sister) and Daniel Ritzer (brother). Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. A recycling barrel was found near Ritzer's body. (CBS) DANVERS, Mass. John R. Ellement of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Philip Chism's mother also contacted police about her son's whereabouts since he did not show up for soccer practice as per his usual schedule. Laura mostly shared her old photos with Colleen and captioned:-, Wish more than anything you were still here.. Afolleens murder of her family members created a website dedicated to scholarship funds. She was always active on Twitter and shared notes with her students. Chism, who was 17 when he was sentenced, will be eligible for parole when he's 54 years old (via The Salem News). But if she were dead at the time, the unnatural rape charge should be dismissed, the defense argued. Chism's mother expressed sympathy for the Ritzer family. After school that day, Chism pursued Collen Ritzer into a restroom where he attacked her with a box cutter and sexually assaulted her. Read Also: Who is Elize Matsunaga? She made her the last tweet was on 22 October 2020. Defense lawyers say Chism was detained by police for more than three hours after he was picked up around 12.30am October 23. On 22nd October, Ritzer asked Philip Chism (student) to stay after school with her. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. "I think it's inescapable that she was killed in the bathroom," Chism's defense attorney, John Osler, told Lowy after the prosecution rested its case and the jury was dismissed for the day. SALEM, Mass. When Chism failed to return home, his mother reported him missing. According to Wikipedia, Philip Chism dumped out Ritzers body about 20 feet into the woods. Per MassLive, he used the recycling bin to transport and dump Ritzer's body in a wooded area behind the school. #wbz. What Did Colleen Ritzer Death Autopsy Say? Later, at 11:20 p.m., Blodgett said police received a report that Ritzer had not returned to her home in Andover and was not answering her cell phone. State Police Trooper Steven Buccheri became visibly emotional when asked to describe for the court the extent of Miss Ritzer's injuries, reported the Boston Globe. Jurors passed around a graphic photo of Ritzers body but it was not displayed to the courtroom in an effort to spare Ritzers family from having to see it. SALEM Colleen Ritzer was likely alive when Philip Chism dragged her body into the woods behind Danvers High School and raped her with a branch, an assistant district attorney said in Essex Superior Court Monday after the prosecution rested its case. "She was a very, very respected, loved teacher," the D.A. Sarah Giaquinta on the stand, Nov. 30, 2015. A lab received the body to conduct an autopsy. Images Sources: Facebook, Medium, and Google. Wake up to the day's most important news. According to the sources, Colleen completed her high school graduation at Andover High School. According to one struggling student, she was always positive and happy. Authorities say surveillance video from October 22, 2013, shows Chism following Ritzer into a bathroom in Danvers High School, wearing gloves and a hood, then later walking out of the bathroom alone. We stand here today not understanding.". NewsUnzip is an Independent News Media organization. She was very close to her siblings. Ritzer was a well-loved teacher and always helped the students. Wills Robinson Legal observers have said another defense strategy may be to show Ritzer died quickly so they can undermine the Commonwealth's contention that Chism acted with extreme atrocity and cruelty, one of the three theories underlying first-degree murder in Massachusetts. CBS News adds that Chism was later sentenced to at least 40 years in prison. The Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund writes that teaching was a lifelong dream for the 24-year-old. He then took her body to the woods and dumped it, according to prosecutors. They also claim that investigators pressured his mother to get him to talk to the cops. "She had offered to give me a ride home if I needed one that day and I had told her that I didn't need one," Giaquinta said. Chism told the police that he had taken the items from Ritzer's car. Colleen Ritzer was a math teacher at Danvers High School who was murdered and raped by her own student Philip Chism on October 22, 2013. Thank you! , NBA Playoffs: A star-studded Round 2 is here, Panthers oust record-setting Bruins 4-3 in OT, P-Bruins fall to Wolf Pack, trail 0-2 in Atlantic, Central walks off against Smithfield in resumed game, Providence mens lacrosse advances to Big East Tournament, Newsmakers 4/28/2023: RWU Law Dean Gregory Bowman, Diverse Discussions: How Gen Z is changing RI, Newsmakers 4/14/2023: Congressman Jake Auchincloss, Newsmakers 4/7/2023: Lt. Gov. Investigators went to the high school and found blood in a second floor bathroom, the D.A. In all, nine of Ritzer's relatives and friends described the loss they felt as a result of her tragic death. There is no proper information is available about Colleens career. However, McDonald said it is possible she could have survived the strangulation if she had not been stabbed. By Jonathan Harker Jan 22, 2021 Math Teacher Colleen Ritzer's Throat Slit Sixteen Times Teenage Pupil On October 22, 2013, Philip Chism murdered her math teacher Colleen Ritzer in the women's bathroom at Danvers High School 60 Cabot Road, Danvers MA. 2013 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Giaquinta said they were also discussing shampoo and "regular everyday things that we would talk about.". 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Beside Ritzer was a handwritten note by Chism stating, "I hate you all." The other student said that Ms. Ritzer changed the topic when she came to know that Philip was disturbed about Tennessees conversation. As per the sources, Colleen E. Ritzer was raped and murdered by a student Philip Chism on 22 October 2013. We were unable to subscribe you to WBUR Today. SALEM (CBS) The prosecution rested its case Monday in the Colleen Ritzer murder trial after showing the jury more chilling video of the Danvers High School teacher that was recorded shortly before she was killed. Whats with all the seagulls in downtown Providence? Follow her on Twitter @globemcramer. Ritzer taught mathematics. Chism has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges. We're off this week to enjoy a Springbreak. A Massachusetts grand jury on Thursday indicted Chism, 14, on charges of murder, aggravated rape and armed robbery in connection with Ritzer's slaying on October 22, according to the Essex. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The police eventually found Chism walking on a highway with a backpack (via WBUR). After McDonald finished and the jury left for the day, Osler also asked Lowy to dismiss the robbery charges against Chism. On October 22, 2013, math teacher Colleen Ritzer, 24, was murdered in the restroom of the school. "We are very saddened by the horrific tragedy that has occurred in Danvers. "It is difficult for this court to imagine what could be worse for an individual and family to endure than the brutal murder of Colleen Ritzer.". He then goes back into the classroom, but comes right back out with his hood on. The primary suspect in the case was Philip Chism, so the police started looking for him right away. She was a Christian and her birth zodiac sign is Taurus. Philip Chism, 17, was convicted in December of killing Colleen Ritzer, a 24-year-old math teacher at his suburban Boston high school. ( Source : bostonglobe) Ritzer was a math instructor. Student Philip Chism, then 14, was arraigned in her death. Along with her, Philip Chism was reported missing before he too disappeared. "She made me feel like I wanted to go to math class," they reported to The New York Times. He completed his B.com at Panjab University (PU) and Schooling from Punjab School Education Board (PSEB). Unbelievable.". A judge sentenced Philip Chism to 40 years in prison for the rape and murder of former Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer. They sentenced Philip to 25 years for first-degree murder with two 40-year concurrent sentences for aggravated rape and robbery. Minutes later, he is shown emerging from the bathroom carrying the black pants Ritzer was wearing. She added, "You couldn't ask for anything more from a teacher or a friend.". All this was caught in CCTV footage. Wiki, Biography, Age, Husband, Death Autopsy, Family & More, Colleen Ritzers Murder (What happened on 22 October 2013), 11 Facts You Didnt Know About Colleen Ritzer, scared Colleen Ritzer from behind. Lawyers for Chism claimed that their client had mental health issues and was not stable, which is why they made such a terrible attempt. Chism, 17, was convicted December 15, 2015 of rape, armed robbery and first-degree murder in the brutal death of the 24-year-old Danvers High School teacher in October 2013. The Boston Globe reports the suspect is being held without bail. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Ritzer was a well-loved teacher of the school. RI investigating Warren nursing home death, Is tick control helping? The sentence of life in prison, with the possibility of release after 40 years, was less than the 50 years prosecutors had asked Essex County Superior Court Judge David Lowy to impose. As per the footage, Chism covered his face with his hoodie. Chism had slit her throat and stabbed her numerous times. Stay up-to-date with important news developments, delivered right to your inbox. Zuk did not say what that word was. He killed her in the bathroom with a box knife and moved her body through the school using a recycling bin. Ritzer was a popular teacher at Danvers High School, about 25 miles north of Boston, doing her dream job, teaching math, Assistant District Attorney Kate MacDougall told jurors in her opening statement. According to the sources, Colleen stayed after school as usual for the students help. Also inside Philip Chism's backpack were several of Colleen's credit cards and two driver's licenses along with her underwear, a blueish/green sheer design. He staged her body in a sexually inappropriate way, spread her legs out under the pile of leaves, pulled up her shirt, and stuck a three-fork tree branch into her. He is evil, pure evil," father Tom Ritzer said. She was working as a full-time maths teacher at Danvers High School before her murder. This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast 3.3K 385 comments Top ItsDarwinMan82 2 yr. ago Prosecutors allege Chism, then 14, raped the 24-year-old woman with a stick, repeatedly stabbed her and then disposed of her body by stuffing it inside a recycling bin and dumping it in the woods by the school on October 22, 2013. In addition, he had strangled her and sexually assaulted her with a tree branch. 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Whats behind ongoing medication shortage? / CBS Boston. What Did Colleen Ritzer Death Autopsy Say? Jurors were shown chilling surveillance video that showed Ritzer walking down the hallway to the bathroom. said. Lowy denied the defense's motion to dismiss the robbery charge after the attack, Chism took Ritzer's purse and used her credit card to buy a movie ticket but he said he would rule Tuesday morning on whether to throw out the unnatural rape charge. Prosecutors maintain Chism, who had recently moved to Massachusetts from Clarksville, Tennessee, and his mother never absolutely invoked their right to a lawyer. Chism is then seen on surveillance video wheeling in a recycling bin into the bathroom. Her lifes passion and dream was to educate those around her. On December 15, 2015, Chism was found guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated rape, and armed robbery. display: none; 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Earlier Monday, the jury saw video of Chism at two gas stations after Ritzer's murder. Ritzer was raped and murder by Phillip Chism on Oct. 22, 2013. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Chism was wearing a hood over his face. SALEM (CBS) - The prosecution rested its case Monday in the Colleen Ritzer murder trial after showing the jury more chilling video of the Danvers High . A short time later, the video shows Chism pulling a recycling barrel through the school and outside. Another witness, a state trooper, described the graphic crime scene. Then he took her dead body in a trash can to the schools back woods. He was taken to the Danvers police department and a short time later, Ritzer's body was found in the woods behind the high school, reports the station. Wills Robinson According to the station, the teen is being charged as an adult. Later, she started working as a teacher in Danvers High School. Complete coverage of the Colleen Ritzer case on Crimesider, First published on October 23, 2013 / 3:13 PM. Peggie Ritzer said her daughter's death had left her "so very broken." . Adults convicted of first-degree murder in Massachusetts automatically receive life without parole. Shetestified that she could not determine a clear cause of death, saying it was either "sharp force injuries" in Ritzer's neck or asphyxiation. NBC News states that he was charged as a juvenile for the latter offenses. Ritzer's body was later found in nearby woods, naked from the waist down and with her throat slit and a note that read, 'I hate you all.'. His mother declined to talk to reporters as she left the courthouse. The family, he added, will still be reminded of the crimes as Chism appeals the case and is eligible for parole at some point. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Philip Chism was arrested by Topsfield PO Neil Hovey after he was spotted walking in the area around 1230 am after the murder. Colleen was a multi-talented lady. A candlelight vigil will be held in Ritzer's honor at the high school Wednesday night, reports the station. He also cut Colleens throat over 16 times, Who is Elize Matsunaga? Hopefully not more replies That's incredibly sad Prosecutors say Chism putRitzers body in the barrel after brutally murdering her in a bathroom. Colleen Ritzer was a well-respected math teacher, 2011 graduate of Assumption College, a top liberal arts university, and was pursuing a graduate degree from Salem State College at the time of her murder. Former Danvers High School freshman Philip Chism, now 16 years old, is being tried as an adult for the savage 2013 rape and murder of his teacher, Colleen Ritzer. Hours after murdering Ritzer, who had stayed late to help students, Chism was found wandering along a state highway carrying a bag containing Ritzer's identification and the box cutter. Cold Case Cards: All In Is It Ever Too Hopeless? Seconds later, Chism is seen poking his head out of her classroom and looking down the hall. He wasnt paying attention at the time of the crime. In 2011, she graduated from Assumption College. The trial was occasionally delayed by Chism, who was once observed beating his head on a floor, and at another point, refused to return to the courtroom, telling his lawyer he was "about to explode." "There remains a tremendous absence in our lives, one that sadly can never be replaced.". #wbz. Since childhood Ritzer dreamed of becoming a teacher and according to ColleenRitzerScholoship.com, as early as three, Colleen realized her love for helping others through the caring efforts of her favorite preschool teacher, who would also become her mentor and lifelong friend. Colleen was popular and beloved by all of her students. She had an open, friendly nature towards her students. CBS News Poll: How GOP primary race could be Trump v. 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