Family of Slain Teacher Sues Town, School Department

LAWRENCE, Mass. (AP) _ The family of a Massachusetts high school teacher who was raped and murdered by a 14-year-old student has filed a lawsuit against the town where she was killed, the school department and a cleaning company whose workers washed away potential evidence.

The Salem News reports that the family of Colleen Ritzer filed the suit Wednesday in Lawrence Superior Court. Ritzer was killed inside a Danvers High School bathroom in 2013. Philip Chism was convicted in December of aggravated rape, robbery and murder.

The lawsuit states that Ritzer's family is not seeking personal financial compensation, but instead wants answers to questions surrounding her death. The suit says the family is seeking compensation to enhance school safety programs.

Danvers school administrators did not immediately return a call and email seeking comment.