14-year-old boy arrested after US teacher murdered

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NEW YORK CITY—A 14-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday following the murder of a young math teacher whose body was found in the woods behind a US high school, officials said.

Colleen Ritzer, 24, who worked at Danvers High School in Massachusetts, was reported missing Tuesday after failing to return to her home or answer her cell phone.

Police called out to search for the teacher found blood in the second floor bathroom at Danvers High School, said Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.

Her body was found in the woods behind the school.

“It was apparent that she is a homicide victim. She was a teacher here at Danvers High School. This is a terrible tragedy,” he added.

The district attorney said that a 14-year-old boy found walking north along a highway was found in the early hours and taken to Danvers police station.

The child had not returned home after school on Tuesday and had also been reported missing to police.

Given his age, he is expected to make an appearance in a juvenile court later on Wednesday. Under Massachusetts law he could also be charged as an adult.

Danvers is a small town half an hour’s drive north of Boston. Public schools were closed there on Wednesday.