According to WBUR, surveillance video shows that Philip Chism put on gloves and a hood before entering the bathroom that Colleen Ritzer was occupying. Once inside, he proceeded to sexually assault and murder her. At one point, CNN states that a girl walked into the bathroom. However, she believed that she had witnessed someone changing and left. Chism is then seen on surveillance video wheeling in a recycling bin into the bathroom. Per MassLive, he used the recycling bin to transport and dump Ritzer’s body in a wooded area behind the school. When Chism failed to return home, his mother reported him missing.
NBC News reports that Ritzer’s parents did the same. The police eventually found Chism walking on a highway with a backpack (via WBUR). CNN writes that a bloody boxcutter, as well as Ritzer’s credit cards, driver’s license, and underwear, were found inside. Chism told the police that he had taken the items from Ritzer’s car. However, he did admit that the blood on the box cutter came from “the girl.” Soon after, Ritzer’s body was discovered. NBC News explains that Ritzer’s body was “sexually staged.” Chism had slit her throat and stabbed her numerous times. In addition, he had strangled her and sexually assaulted her with a tree branch. Next to her was a written note that read, “I hate you all.”
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If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
