Colleen Ritser was a 24 year old Algebra Teacher in Danvers Massachusetts, known for her passion for teaching, her big heart, and her warm smile. Philip Chism was a 14 year old freshman, new to Danvers from Tennessee with a promising High School soccer career. On October 22, 2013, both Philip and Colleen go missing and what follows would be one of the most harrowing murder investigations we have ever seen.

For more information on the Colleen Ritzer Memorial Fund please visit: https://www.colleenritzer.org

Associated Press. (2013, December 5). Student charged with killing teacher. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2013/10/23/14-year-old-killed-math-teacher-dumped-corpse-at-school/Associated Press. (2014, June 20). Teen teacher killer escapes supervision and attacks caregiver. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2014/06/20/teen-teacher-killer-escapes-supervision-and-attacks-caregiver/Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund, Inc. (n.d.). https://www.colleenritzer.orgCramer, M. (2015, December 1). Official describes brutal injuries to Colleen Ritzer. BostonGlobe.com. https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/11/30/philip-chism-murder-trial-resumes/zwhZsJ0PUd0olRg3vA9QZK/story.htmlFredericks, B. (2013, December 5). Teen “infatuated” with murdered teacher. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2013/10/24/student-confesses-murder-to-cops/Kalmbacher, C. (2022, January 5). Judge Lets Town Seal Potentially Embarrassing Details About Security System Failures on Day Teacher Was Raped and Murdered by Student. Law & Crime. https://lawandcrime.com/lawsuit/judge-lets-town-seal-potentially-embarrassing-details-about-security-failures-on-day-teacher-was-raped-and-murdered-by-student/Manganis, J. (2015, January 16). Philip Chism told police “trigger word” made him angry at Colleen Ritzer. Salemnews.Com. https://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/philip-chism-told-police-trigger-word-made-him-angry-at-colleen-ritzer/article_26693d1b-0987-581e-bae5-2cf6fc4447ea.htmlManganis, J. (2021, September 27). Chism appeal moves forward, 2014 case remains open. Andover Townsman. https://www.andovertownsman.com/news/chism-appeal-moves-forward-2014-case-remains-open/article_126ec023-e993-596d-b1ee-ddc44586e130.htmlSanchez, R., & Vitagliano, B. (2013, November 24). Police affidavit offers chilling details of teacher’s slaying. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/22/justice/massachusetts-danvers-school-killingStaff Report. (2017, January 5). Chism sentence devastates Ritzer family. Andover Townsman. https://www.andovertownsman.com/news/chism-sentence-devastates-ritzer-family/article_95d46840-37f9-5612-a446-40032c5a40b0.htmlTracy Connor, Staff Writer, NBC News. (2013, November 22). Teen suspect in murder of teacher Colleen Ritzer left “hate” note, documents say. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/teen-suspect-murder-teacher-colleen-ritzer-left-hate-note-documents-flna2d11641586Ward, B. (2022, June 22). Parents of murdered Danvers teacher Colleen Ritzer fight to keep wrongful death lawsuit alive. Boston 25 News. https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/middlesex-county/parents-murdered-danvers-teacher-colleen-ritzer-fight-keep-wrongful-death-lawsuit-alive/3CXFMQKDQVFJJOGKC7ZSSE7SBE/Support the showIf you enjoyed learning about this case, check out our Instagram @bookofthedeadpod or website botdpod.com
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Courtney and Lisa