The gruesome murder of Colleen Ritzer in 2013 shocked everyone. Colleen was a young, well-loved math teacher in a small Massachusetts town, and her killer was a quiet, but seemingly kind, freshman soccer player. With no record, no prior offences, what made this young boy suddenly snap? The death of any person at the hands of a killer is always terrifying, but today's case, which grapples with understanding how a 14 year old could suddenly murder his math teacher, is truly frightening. Sponsors: Talkspace Match with a licensed therapist when you go to talkspace.com and get $100 off your first month with the promo code CRIMESALAD. Dame Go to dameproducts.com/CRIMESALAD today for 15% off sitewide. Support us! Want ad free listening? Patreon - https://patreon.com/crimesaladpodcast Follow us! Merch - http://www.crimesaladpodcast.com/shop Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/crimesaladpodcast Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/crimesalad Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/crimesaladpodcast RATE US - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crime-salad-podcast/id1457141569 Researched and Written by: Allison Hauser and Crime Salad