Diana Amanda Chism is the mother of Philip Chism, the student who was convicted for the murder of his Mathematics teacher in 2013 at Danvas High school. Diana Chism’s family lived a simple life away from the spotlight before her son’s heinous act. She was married to Stacy Chism but divorced a few years later. Philip was tried and found guilty of the murder and sentenced to 40 years in prison in 2015. He also has another open case of attempted murder against him. He’s currently serving a 40-year prison sentence.
What happened to Diana Chism and her other children? Keep reading to get detailed answers to the case.
Diana Amanda Chism Bio
Diana Amanda was born in Brazil on 25 December 1978. Her parents are Eduardo Barbieri and Joyce Barbieri. According to Eduardo, Diana’s mother suffered nervous breakdowns leading to constant hospitalization and wasn’t in a position to raise her three children.
Diana Amanda Chism married Stacy Tremayne Chism in September 1998, according to documents from the Montgomery County court. Unfortunately, their marriage was in constant turmoil due to her husband’s extramarital affairs. Diana filed for divorce in March 2001, but it didn’t go through as they reconciled in June 2001. There were two more petitions for legal separation in 2011 and 2013. According to a report by WCVB Boston, the couple finalized their divorce in 2014. When separated, she sought refuge at her parent’s or friend’s home.
Stacy Tremayne and Diana Amanda Chism had three children, two daughters and a son. The whereabouts of the family after the case are unknown.
Diana Amanda Chism’s Son
Phillip Chism was born in Clarksville, Tennessee, U.S., on 21 January 1999. Growing up, Philip had a rough life at home due to his parents’ constant quarrels and separation, and his father was constantly absent. When he was fourteen, his family moved back to Tennessee from Florida, and he joined Denver High School. He coped well in the new school and made friends. According to his friends, he also joined the school’s soccer team and was social. However, with time he grew withdrawn and didn’t even celebrate small wins while at soccer practice.
On a fateful day in October 2013, Philip Chism fiercely assaulted and killed Colleen Ritzer, his mathematics teacher. He was caught by officers while running away after the act. Philip had raped and killed Ritzer in the school bathroom, after which he dragged her body into a forested region behind the athletic field of his school. He slit her throat with the blade and raped her again. He then left her covered with leaves and junk to hide the body.
Philip was fourteen at the time of the crime, and he got convicted of murder. He also faced an additional assault and attempted murder on a female youth administration clinician, which is still an active case. Two years after Colleen Ritzer’s death, Chism was sentenced for first-degree murder, assault, and theft.
For killing 24-year-old Colleen Ritzer, Chism was condemned to life in jail and won’t be free on bail until he has served 40 years in prison, after which he can file a petition.
Wrapping up
Diana Chism expressed her shock and heartbreak after learning of her son’s crime; unfortunately, she had to go through that. Her whereabouts, together with her two daughters, remain unclear.