A Massachusetts grand jury has indicted 14-year-old Philip Chism of not only killing Danvers High School math teacher Colleen Ritzer, but also raping her and stealing her personal possessions before dumping the 24-year-old's body last month.
Though charges provide no insight of Chism's motive, it's alleged that the former top junior varsity soccer player attacked Ritzer after she asked him to stay after school for an upcoming test. Charged as an adult on the murder count, Chism faces juvenile charges of aggravated rape and armed robbery.
Law enforcement officials knowledgeable of the investigation says that surveillance footage from inside the school showed Chism pushing a recycling bin through the hall and outside the high school where the murder occurred, according to reports. Chism would later eat at a Wendy's restaurant and visit a movie theater after changing his clothes.
Essex District Attorney prosecutor Jonathan Blodgett stressed during a recent court hearing that there was no evidence of any wrongdoing by Ritzer. Court papers found by CNN hint to Chism's past in Tennessee before he moved to Massachusetts over the summer. According to reports, "prior physical and emotional abuse as well as alcohol abuse" from Chism's father led to restricted time with his son.
"The indictments returned today detail horrific and unspeakable acts," said Blodgett in a statement. "This is the first step in a long process to secure justice for Ms. Ritzer and her family."
A murder that shook an entire community, students at Danvers High School were shocked by the allegations as Chism was known to be quite and non-confrontational. Ritzer's funeral, held at Andover's St. Augustine Church in late October, was attended by an estimated one thousand attendees.
"It's unreal that [Philip] would do something like that," said freshmen Jessica Dipietro who took Ritzer's math class. "It's unbelievable. I can not even process into words why he would do something like that. It's devastating."
The Ritzer family said in a statement: "We are devastated and heartbroken by the details of the horrific circumstances surrounding the death of our beautiful daughter and sister, Colleen."
