The town of Danvers, a Boston, Massachusetts suburb, mourned the loss of 24-year-old 'beloved' math teacher Colleen Ritzer, who was reportedly murdered by 14-year-old student Philip Chism, Fox25 reported.
Chism has been charged with slashing Ritzer's throat with a box cutter after following her into a women's restroom at the school on Tuesday afternoon, news reports said. Chism then stuffed her body into a recycling bin and dumped it into the woods behind Danvers High School.
News reports said that Chism went to a nearby film screening at 4:30 on Tuesday afternoon after killing and disposing Ritzer's body. The manager at the Hollywood Hits theater in Danvers told The Boston Herald that Chism had "blended right in." However, Chism was questioned and charged by authorities later that evening.
Chism was being held without bail after charged by Essex County prosecutors as an adult on Wednesday afternoon where he pleaded not guilty during his arraignment at Salem District Court.
The judge also approved a motion by the defense for a mental evaluation. Chism reportedly had his mother present at the hearing, news who declined to speak with reporters.
Chism is due back in court for a probable cause hearing on November 22, MyFoxBoston reported.
The Boston Red Sox franchise held a moment of silence before Game One of the 2013 World Series at Fenway Park on Wednesday night.
Hundreds also turned out for a candlelight vigil on the parking lot of Danvers High School to honor Ritzer. Many "prayed and sang and, at the end of the vigil, placed their candles along with some stuffed animals in the middle of a ring they formed for the gathering," MyFoxBoston.com reported.
"I just want people to know how special of a person she was,'' Jennifer Berger, a Danvers High School student said on the "Today" show on Thursday morning."She was my best friend in the whole world, and knowing her made my life so much better, and (she) made everyone's life better."
"She was just a young, caring girl who had the whole world ahead of her,'' said Peter Martellucci, her uncle. "And to be taken just so tragically, it's awful."
Ritzer graduated from Assumption College in 2011 with a Bachelor's degree in math and a minor in psychology with a secondary education concentration.
A 'R.I.P. Colleen Ritzer' Facebook page has been set up since her murder.
