Danvers Women Killed, Bishop Fenwick Teen Student Charged In Death: Essex DA

DANVERS, MA — A Bishop Fenwick senior student from Lynn is facing murder charges in the death of a Danvers woman after the Essex County District Attorney's Office said he was found on a city street carrying a knife with apparent blood on it Thursday afteroon.

Essex DA Paul Tucker said 18-year-old Anthony DeMayo will be arraigned in Salem District Court on Friday in the killing of 68-year-old Janet Swallow, whose body was found in an Amherst Street home on Thursday.

"As of now, the investigation has not found any connection between the defendant and the victim," Tucker said at a Thursday night news conference. "We believe, as of this point, that DeMayo acted alone.

"This terrible tragedy has struck the Swallow family, the town of Danvers, and the Bishop Fenwick community. They are all in our thoughts as well continue to investigate."

Tucker said that more information will be revealed during the arraignment on Friday.

"What we believe at this point is that this was random," Tucker said. "There was no connection between the defendant and the resident, who is the victim."

Tucker said that after the student was found on the street, a search warrant was executed at his Lynn home, and evidence was found connecting him to the killing.

Tucker said a 911 call was made to Lynn police that led them to find DeMayo on Standish Street in the city. He was taken to Salem Hospital based on his behavior, Tucker said.

He said the investigation led officers to contact Danvers police for a well-being check at the Danvers home.

"(Swallow) was found in the home in a manner consistent with homicide," Tucker said.

Tucker said DeMayo was exhibiting "erratic behavior" when he was found.

The attack is believed to have happened on Thursday afternoon, according to Tucker.