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Family of Colleen Ritzer says they will continue her memory

SALEM, Mass. — It's been more than two years since their daughter was killed, but after Philip Chism was found guilty of murdering Colleen Ritzer her parents spoke about their loss for the first time.

On Oct. 22, 2013, 14-year-old Chism murdered and raped Ritzer in a bathroom at the school where she taught him math.

"Colleen never gave up and neither will we.  we will not allow colleens death to define how she's remembered," Peggie Ritzer said.

Colleen's mom Peggie, her dad Tom and her siblings Daniel and Laura all wore pink; Colleen's favorite color.

"This guilty verdict, while the beginning of justice for Colleen is certainly no cause for celebration as there can never be true justice for the crime committed," Tom Ritzer said.

The family attended every day of the trail and listened as graphic details of Colleen's final moments were discussed and shown.

Many people were brought to tears during the trial, but the family says they never lost faith in the process.

"Our family enters a new phase in our lives, one that we have no choice but to begin however we do so knowing the remarkable difference Colleen made in her short life and continues to make in the lives of so many," Tom Ritzer said.

Colleen grew up in Andover, she graduated from Assumption College in Worcester and immediately began teaching math at Danvers High School where she was in her second year when she was killed.

As her family continues to fight for justice they will also continue to keep her memory alive through a scholarship in her name and spirit.

"Despite the immense loss we are forced to endure we will carry on and do our very best to find the good in every day," Peggie Ritzer said.