A teenager from Massachusetts faces murder charges after a 68-year-old woman was discovered deceased in her residence on Thursday, in what officials suspect was an unprovoked attack.
During a Thursday evening press briefing, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker revealed that 18-year-old Anthony DeMayo, hailing from Lynn, has been charged with the murder of Janet Swallow. Swallow’s body was found in her home in Danvers.
“Based on our current understanding, this incident appears to be random,” Tucker informed the media. “There seems to be no prior link between the accused, Mr. DeMayo, and the victim, Ms. Swallow.”
The case unfolded earlier that Thursday afternoon when Lynn Police received an emergency call reporting a man seen on Standish Road wielding a knife, as detailed by Tucker.
Authorities secured a street near the Danvers residence where Janet Swallow, 68, was tragically found deceased. (WFXT)
Upon reaching the scene, officers encountered the suspect, later identified as DeMayo, allegedly behaving erratically while brandishing a knife with stains resembling blood, according to officials.
Police transported DeMayo to Salem Hospital due to his behavior.
As officers continued investigating, information developed that led Lynn police and Massachusetts State Police to execute a search warrant at DeMayo’s home in Lynn.
Evidence recovered there led investigators to contact the Danvers Police Department.
Authorities then conducted a well-being check at a single-family home on Amherst Street in Danvers, where they found Swallow dead inside with “wounds consistent with a homicide,” Tucker said.
Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker speaks during a press conference about the killing of 68-year-old Janet Swallow, Thursday in Danvers, Massachusetts. (Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker via Facebook)
DeMayo was taken into custody while at Salem Hospital and formally charged with murder.
Authorities said he is a senior at Bishop Fenwick High School in nearby Peabody.
Danvers Police Chief James Lovell said investigators notified Swallow’s family and described the victim as a longtime Danvers resident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family,” Lovell said.
Lovell also reassured residents there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Investigators said, at this stage of the investigation, there appears to be no known connection between DeMayo and Swallow.
“As of now, the investigation has not found any connection between the defendant and the victim,” Tucker said. “We also believe, as of this point, that DeMayo acted alone.”
Investigators gather near the home where 68-year-old Janet Swallow was found dead Thursday in Danvers, Massachusetts. (WFXT)
The investigation remains ongoing.
“This terrible tragedy has struck the Swallow family, the town of Danvers and the Bishop Fenwick community. They are all in our thoughts as we continue to investigate,” Tucker said.
Anthony DeMayo was arraigned Friday afternoon in Salem District Court, where he pleaded not guilty to a murder charge and was ordered held without bail, according to NBC10 Boston.
A court psychologist who interviewed DeMayo said he showed depressive symptoms, the outlet reported.
The judge ordered DeMayo sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for further evaluation and scheduled a pretrial hearing for April 1. His attorney did not object, according to NBC10 Boston.
The Danvers Police Department and Tucker could not be immediately reached by Fox News Digital for comment.
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