Anthony DeMayo, 18, Bishop Fenwick Senior, Charged With Murder and Home Invasion in Danvers, MA

Anthony DeMayo, an 18-year-old senior at Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody, Massachusetts, was arraigned on murder and home invasion charges.

“A Bishop Fenwick High School senior had a plea of not guilty entered on his behalf Friday in Salem District Court on murder and home invasion charges, a day after he allegedly broke into a Danvers home early in the morning and killed a woman as she slept”

Boston

The Essex County District Attorney's Office announced the charges against DeMayo, who was ordered held without bail during his arraignment in Salem District Court.

Boston

The case gained attention as it involved a high school student accused of a violent crime against a community member with no apparent connection to him.

The investigation began when Lynn police received a 911 call about a man walking erratically with what appeared to be a blood-stained knife.

This led to DeMayo's arrest and subsequent confession to the murder.

According to court documents and police statements, DeMayo allegedly broke into Swallow's home at 17 Amherst Street in Danvers by climbing through a window.

He stabbed her while she slept in her bed, according to prosecutors.

Boston Herald

DeMayo confessed to police that he had planned the act for a long time and specifically wanted to kill someone.

After the attack, DeMayo returned to his home in Lynn, approximately 10 miles away.

Police found blood-stained clothing during a search of his residence.

The gruesome details emerged from DeMayo's own statements to investigators.

He described driving around surrounding communities before choosing Swallow's home.

He pulled her off the bed after his knife became stuck in her neck.

During court proceedings, a forensic psychologist evaluated DeMayo and found concerning mental health symptoms.

“, an 18-year-old Bishop Fenwick High School student, was ordered held without bail Friday after police said he confessed to the disturbing random murder of 69-year-old Janet Swallow in Danvers, Massachusetts”

CBS News

Dr. Joyce Perotta interviewed DeMayo for about an hour with his attorney present.

She noted he presented with depressive symptoms including restricted affect, anhedonia, and suicidal ideation.

These symptoms have existed for some time, according to the psychologist.

While Perotta determined DeMayo had 'adequate understanding' of court proceedings, she expressed concerns about his 'rational understanding'.

She noted the potential impact of his current mental state on his legal decision-making.

Based on this assessment, Judge Joanna Rodriguez ordered DeMayo sent to Bridgewater State Hospital.

The judge set a probable cause hearing for April 1.

DeMayo's attorney, Carmine LePore, described him as 'a young man with no prior criminal history'.

Janet Swallow, the 68-year-old victim, was described by authorities and community members as a beloved member of the Danvers community.

She was a dedicated healthcare professional who worked as an ICU nurse at Lahey Hospital in Burlington.

Kiss 108

Swallow was a longtime resident of Danvers who lived at her Amherst Street home for decades.

Her employer, Lahey's chief nursing officer Scott James, released a statement calling her 'a beloved and valued member of the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center community'.

Swallow leaves behind two adult sons and was divorced, according to court records.

Friends and neighbors remembered her as a kind person.

One neighbor described her as 'the funniest nurse I have had the pleasure of working with'.

Another noted she was 'a great person and a great friend' who would watch his dog when he traveled.

The crime has left the community stunned and heartbroken.

Danvers Police Chief James Lovel stated it 'has left many of us stunned and heartbroken' and 'shakes our sense of safety'.