Mom of slain math teacher testifies about frantic search

CORRECTS SPELLING OF FIRST NAME TO PEGGIE INSTEAD OF PEGGY - Peggie Ritzer, the mother of teacher Colleen Ritzer, puts her head in her hands in a Salem Superior Court room for the trial of Philip Chism in Salem, Mass., Monday, Nov. 16, 2015. Philip Chism is accused of first degree murder, along with rape and robbery, in the Oct. 2013 slaying of teacher Colleen Ritzer, 24, of Andover. (Ken Yuszkus /The Salem News via AP, Pool) CORRECTS SPELLING OF FIRST NAME TO PEGGIE INSTEAD OF PEGGY - Peggie Ritzer, the mother of teacher Colleen Ritzer, puts her head in her hands in a Salem Superior Court room for the trial of Philip Chism in Salem, Mass., Monday, Nov. 16, 2015. Philip Chism is accused of first degree murder, along with rape and robbery, in the Oct. 2013 slaying of teacher Colleen Ritzer, 24, of Andover. (Ken Yuszkus /The Salem News via AP, Pool)

By Associated Press November 17, 2015 1 min read

SALEM, Mass. (AP) – The mother of a Massachusetts math teacher killed by one of her students described the frantic search for her daughter after she didn’t come home from work.

Peggie Ritzer testified Tuesday at the trial of Philip Chism, who’s charged in the October 2013 death of Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer.

Chism was 14 when he killed Ritzer.

Chism is charged with murder, rape and robbery. His lawyer says Chism was mentally ill.

Peggie Ritzer testified that her 24-year-old daughter had a consistent routine and came home every day at 3:30 p.m.