An 18-year-old from Massachusetts, Anthony DeMayo, has been arrested for allegedly breaking into a home and fatally stabbing a 68-year-old ICU nurse named Janet Swallow. Reports indicate that he told police he had “always wanted to kill people.”
On Wednesday, DeMayo reportedly smashed a window to enter a house in Danvers, roughly 25 miles north of Boston, before attacking Swallow while she slept in her bedroom. As noted by the Essex County District Attorney, the act appears to have been random.
According to court documents, DeMayo, a senior at Bishop Fenwick High School, explained that he had been circling the area in nearby towns before deciding to stop at the victim’s home. Following the attack, he returned to Lynn but came back to the neighborhood the next day, behaving erratically with a large knife. This alarming scene prompted local residents to call the police.
One witness described to a dispatcher how DeMayo waved the knife around, seemingly attacking bushes as if they were human. “It was like he was practicing. That was the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen,” the resident said.
When law enforcement arrived, DeMayo allegedly confessed to the murder, leading officers to search his home. They discovered bloodstained clothes and phone data which prompted a welfare check at Swallow’s residence, where she was found with multiple stab wounds.
The investigation revealed that the two individuals had no prior connection, reinforcing the notion that the assault was entirely unprovoked. Additionally, authorities highlighted that there were no signs of robbery and that DeMayo acted alone.
“This is not just a tragedy for our town and our school,” said District Attorney Paul Tucker, emphasizing the random nature of the violence. “This is a very difficult case.”
Swallow was a devoted nurse at Lahey Hospital in Burlington and a mother of two. Her colleagues stated that she was highly valued and would be deeply missed. Chief Nursing Officer Scott James expressed condolences to her family and colleagues during this challenging time.
The private Roman Catholic school DeMayo attended is cooperating with authorities and providing counseling services to students. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and burglary, and a psychiatric evaluation has been ordered for him. DeMayo is currently held at Bridgewater State Hospital without bail, with a probable cause hearing scheduled for April 1.
