Perth residents 'shattered' after teen charged with 2nd-degree murder of 15-year-old

UPDATE | On Nov. 28, 2024, OPP announced the second-degree murder charge had been upgraded to first-degree murder.

People in the quiet town of Perth, Ont., were grappling this weekend with the sudden death of a local teenager and the laying of a murder charge against a second teen.

On Friday, Ontario Provincial Police officers responding to a call on the outskirts of the community southwest of Ottawa discovered a body later identified as 15-year-old Reese Stanzel.

Shortly afterwards, police arrested a 16-year-old at a house in the area and charged her with second-degree murder.

Nobody else was arrested in connection with the incident, the OPP said on Monday. 

Stanzel's body was found near Herriot Street, an unpaved dead-end road leading to what's known locally as a hangout spot for youths, according to former Perth mayor John Fenik.

Fenik visited the scene on Sunday, where police tape still blocked the road and where well-wishers had left flowers and a plush toy. 

'Emotionally numb'

"I think like all the citizens of the town of Perth, when I heard that news, I was in shock and emotionally numb," Fenik told CBC at the scene.

"This is something that doesn't happen in this community. It's a safe community. It's a close-knit community. We look after each other."

For several residents, the fact another teen has been charged with murder has only deepened the sense of shock.

Because of her age, she cannot be publicly identified.

While Fenik did not know Stanzel's family or the 16-year-old charged with his killing, he said the death had left the town in disbelief.

"People's lives are shattered right now and, and it's going to take some time for the grief to be dealt with, to pass and for people to move on with things," he said.

Tatianna Mosher, a member of a group advocating for Perth's first dog park, said she got to know Stanzel because he volunteered with the group. She described a boy who loved to hunt, fish and ride his bike. 

"He was such a good, generous, loving soul," Mosher said. 

The Upper Canada District School Board confirmed Stanzel was a student at Perth District Collegiate Institute. 

"This tragic event has had a significant impact on our community and we are providing mental health support to students and staff in our school as they process and cope with this sad news," superintendent Marsha McNair said in an emailed statement on Monday.  

Over the weekend, locals were united in their sense of shock. 

"It's shocking that, for no matter where you're from or who you are, that kids are killing kids," said Perth resident Peter Speak. "Look at this town. It doesn't look like a murderous haven."

Daina Ramsey also said she couldn't believe what had happened.

"Two young kids," she said. "It's a tragedy."

Accused can't be identified

Two of Stanzel's relatives who visited the scene of his death on Sunday identified the teen in photos shared on social media but declined to speak on record to CBC. 

The teen accused of killing Stanzel was remanded in custody on Saturday until her next scheduled court appearance on Oct. 31, Dickson said. 

While Dickson would not comment on how Stanzel died, he said OPP "did have evidence" to justify a charge of second-degree murder.