A 18-year-old high school senior faces murder and home invasion charges following what investigators describe as the premeditated, random killing of a 68-year-old nurse in her suburban home.
Anthony DeMayo, a student at Bishop Fenwick High School, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Friday in connection with the death of Janet Swallow. Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker confirmed that DeMayo is currently being held without bail and has been ordered to undergo a forensic mental health evaluation.
The Discovery and Arrest
The investigation began Thursday, March 12, when Lynn Police officers encountered DeMayo acting erratically on Standish Road. Prosecutors allege DeMayo was armed with a knife at the time of the encounter.
According to court documents, DeMayo told responding officers he had “killed a woman in Danvers the night before.” This admission prompted Massachusetts State Police to search DeMayo’s residence, where they uncovered evidence that led them to Swallow’s home on Amherst Street.
Upon entering the residence Thursday evening, authorities discovered Swallow deceased. Officials stated her injuries were “consistent with a homicide.”
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Disturbing Details of the Alleged Attack
The prosecution’s filing paints a chilling picture of a calculated, unprovoked assault. According to a statement of facts, DeMayo allegedly told investigators he had harbored the desire to kill “for a long time.”
On the night of the incident, DeMayo reportedly drove through several communities before selecting a house in Danvers. He allegedly gained entry by ripping a screen and climbing through a kitchen window.
The documents further detail that DeMayo located Swallow while she was sleeping in her bedroom. He is accused of stabbing her in the neck and, after the weapon became lodged, pulling her from the bed onto the floor. Prosecutors emphasized during a Thursday press conference that there is currently no evidence of a prior relationship between the suspect and the victim.
Community and Professional Mourning
The victim, Janet Swallow, was a dedicated healthcare professional who served in the intensive care unit at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington.
“Janet was a beloved and valued member of the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center community,” said Scott James, the hospital’s chief nursing officer, in a statement. “We share our deepest condolences with her family, loved ones, and her colleagues across our nursing department.”
District Attorney Tucker expressed the gravity of the incident on the local community, stating, “This terrible tragedy has struck the Swallow family, the Town of Danvers, and the Bishop Fenwick community.”
Legal Proceedings
DeMayo’s defense has not yet commented publicly on the specific allegations beyond the not-guilty plea. The court has scheduled a probable cause hearing for April 1, as investigators continue to process forensic evidence from both the crime scene and the suspect’s vehicle.
