Photo: Danvers Police Department
SALEM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A teenager was arraigned in Salem District Court Friday on charges of murder and home invasion in the death of a Danvers woman.
Anthony DeMayo, an 18-year-old senior at Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody, allegedly broke into the home of 68-year-old Janet Swallow and stabbed her to death while she was in bed, according to prosecutors.
A judge ordered DeMayo held without bail and sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for a mental evaluation. A court clinician told the judge that DeMayo understands the charges against him, but suffers from mental health disorders that might affect his decision making as the case goes forward.
DeMayo is due back in court on April 1.
The investigation began Thursday after Lynn police said a 911 caller reported a man exhibiting erratic behavior and walking with a bloody knife on Standish Road.
Police found DeMayo and took him to Salem Hospital, where prosecutors said he confessed to killing a woman the night before in Danvers.
The Essex County District Attorney's Office said investigators searched DeMayo's home and found bloody clothing and other evidence that led them to 17 Amherst St. in Danvers. It was there that police found Swallow's body with stab wounds consistent with a homicide.
Police arrested DeMayo at the hospital and charged him with murder.
Prosecutors called the alleged incident a random act of violence and have not found any connection between DeMayo and Swallow. Authorities also believe DeMayo acted alone and there is no continued threats to North Shore communities.