Danvers, Massachusetts — On a quiet Thursday afternoon, 68‑year‑old Janet Swallow was found dead inside her Amherst Street home after what police now describe as a random act of violence. Authorities arrested an 18‑year‑old high school senior, Anthony DeMayo of Lynn, and charged him with her murder. The shocking case has shaken both the small town and the school community where the suspect was enrolled.
Police first became aware of DeMayo when Lynn officers responded to a 911 call about a young man walking on Standish Street with a knife. Officers reported the knife appeared to have a reddish stain and say he was acting in a way that worried them. He was taken to Salem Hospital for evaluation soon after.
Investigators later executed a search warrant at DeMayo’s home in Lynn. Evidence found there prompted police to check on Swallow’s welfare at her Danvers residence. Once inside, officers discovered her lifeless body. Medical examiners concluded her injuries were consistent with homicide.
Swallow was a longtime resident of Danvers and is survived by her two sons. Friends and neighbors describe her as a quiet, independent woman who enjoyed her community. Her death has left the town in mourning and many searching for answers.
Authorities say there is no known connection between DeMayo and Swallow. Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker called the violence “random” and said investigators are still working to understand what led to the attack. Police have emphasized there’s no ongoing threat to the public.
DeMayo, a senior at Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody, was taken into custody at the hospital and is scheduled to be arraigned in Salem District Court. School officials have not publicly commented on the situation, and classmates are said to be stunned by the charges.
As Danvers grapples with this unexpected loss, residents are holding vigils and reaching out to Swallow’s family. The randomness of the crime has left many in the community uneasy, but law enforcement maintains there is no broader danger at this time.
