Murdered Massachusetts Teacher Is Remembered ift.tt/1hcfTMl As Massachusetts police investigate the killing of a 24-year-old math teacher, relatives and students have remembered her as a warm person who was passionate about her job. Colleen Ritzers body was found in the woods behind Danvers High School, where she taught. A 14-year-old student at the school, Philip Chism, has been charged with murder . But the motive remains unclear. Ms Ritzers family said they are mourning the death of their amazing, beautiful daughter and sister. Everyone that knew and loved Colleen knew of her passion for teaching and how she mentored each and every one of her students, the family said in a statement. Ms Ritzer lived at home with her 20-year-old brother and her sister, a high school senior. Philip Chism, 14, has been charged with murder On Wednesday night, hundreds of people later turned out for a candlelight vigil at the school parking lot, many wearing pink sweatshirts, bows or T-shirts in tribute to Ms Ritzer and her favourite colour. Some left bouquets and a teddy bear in front of the school in her memory. She supported all of us. We should be there to support her, said Courtney Arnoldy, 18, who had Ms Ritzer for a teacher. Students say they related to the young teacher, who liked to wear jeans and UGG boots just like the teenagers she taught. In her Twitter account, Ms Ritzer gave homework assignments, encouraged students and described herself as a math teacher often too excited about the topics Im teaching. Ms Ritzers body is taken out of the woods One of her former students, Chris Weimert, 17, said: She was the nicest teacher anyone could ever have. She always had a warm smile on her face. The Boston Red Sox held a moment of silence for Ms Ritzer at Fenway Park before Game 1 of the World Series. The murder shocked the community in Danvers, which is about 20 miles (32km) north of Boston. Police began an investigation late on Tuesday after receiving calls that a student at the school and a teacher had not gone home. After discovering blood in a second-floor bathroom, police extended their search to the woods behind the school, where they located Ms Ritzers body. Chism was being held without bail after being arraigned on a murder charge. Investigators said in court documents the arrest was made based on statements by the suspect, evidence from school surveillance cameras and corroborating evidence in multiple places. But they have not publicly discussed a motive. Police guard the entrance of the high school Chism moved to Massachusetts from Tennessee before the start of the school year and has been described as a quiet boy with a pleasant manner. Ms Ritzer is the second teacher allegedly killed by a student in the US this week. In a shooting incident in Nevada on Monday, teacher Michael Landsberry was shot and killed when he tried to stop the 12-year-old student armed with a handgun after he wounded two fellow students, then later turned the gun on himself. Related Stories Nevada School Shooting Teacher Hailed A Hero
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 12:22:28 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015