A student at Danvers (Mass.) High School has been charged in connection with the murder of a math teacher at the school, the Boston Globe reports.
Colleen Ritzer, 24, of Andover, Mass., was reported missing at 11:20 PM Tuesday, when she didn’t return home and didn’t answer her cellphone, the paper reported. Her body was found in the woods behind the school after police searched the school and found blood in a second-floor bathroom. She was said to be “a very, very, respected, loved teacher.”
Candle light vigil for Colleen Ritzer, from Twitter (@PetersonDarsie), Oct 23
She was “Boston Strong” as well, tweeting after the massacre at the Boston Marathon on April 15, “This world is a crazy place. Love who you love and live every day. Thoughts and prayers to those affected at the Boston Marathon.” ABC has posted some of her other inspirational tweets, some of which were intended as tips and jokes for her students, here.
My favorite among the tweets posted (@msritzermath) is where she tweeted she had to carve a π symbol out of a pumpkin one day. Such a love for one’s subject and one’s students just consumes so many other aspects of teachers’ lives and is so admired by friends, especially by student friends.
Philip D Chism, 14, was arrested in connection with her death and charged as an adult with murder, but officials released no cause of death or motive at a press conference, CBS News reported. He was arraigned in Salem District Court, where Judge Matthew Nestor ordered him held without bail.
The school was closed today as a result of the homicide investigation.
“Everyone that knew and loved Colleen knew of her passion for teaching and how she mentored each and every one of her students. We would like to ask everyone to respect our privacy at this most difficult time. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers,” the Ritzer family said in a statement.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Colleen’s family, the Danvers High School community, and the many friends she had there and in so many other places.