DANVERS — An 18-year-old Bishop Fenwick senior from Lynn is expected to be arraigned Friday morning in the murder of a Danvers mother of two — officials are calling her death a seemingly random act of violence.
Janet Swallow, 68, was found dead in her home at 17 Amherst St. in Danvers Thursday evening, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker said during a press conference at the Danvers Police Station late Thursday night.
Earlier that afternoon, 18-year-old Anthony Demayo was found wandering the streets of Lynn with a bloody knife in his hand and acting erratically, Tucker said.
The teen was taken to Salem Hospital due to his behavior. Lynn police then received additional information, which Tucker did not specify during the press conference, that led police to his home in Lynn. There they executed a search warrant and discovered more information that led investigators to contact Danvers police.
Danvers officers then conducted a wellness check at Swallow’s single-family home. They found her body inside the house, showing wounds consistent with homicide, Tucker said.
“As of now, the investigation has not found any connection between the defendant and the victim,” Tucker said.
Demayo is believed to have acted alone. Officials have notified Swallow’s two sons of her death, Tucker said.
“This terrible tragedy has struck the Swallow family, the town of Danvers and the Bishop Fenwick community,” he said. “They are all in our thoughts as we continue to investigate.
“Obviously, this is not only a tragedy for the town, for the school — this is just a very difficult case because of the randomness of this violence,” he said.
Danvers police Chief James Lovell noted Swallow was a longtime resident of Danvers.
“I want to assure the Danvers residents and community that there’s no continued threat or danger to the public and the Police Department is committed to their safety,” Lovell said.
Demayo was held at the Danvers Police Station Thursday evening and is expected to be arraigned in Salem District Court Friday.