Perth residents ‘devastated’ after teenager charged with murder of 15-year-old girl

People in the quiet town of Perth, Ont., struggled this weekend with the sudden death of a local teenager and the indictment of a second teenager in his murder.

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

Shortly thereafter, police detained a 16-year-old boy in a house nearby.

Stanzel’s body was found near Herriot Street, an unpaved cul-de-sac leading to a local spot known as a youth hangout, according to former Perth mayor John Fenik.

On Sunday, Fenyk visited the scene, where police tape still blocked the road and well-wishers had left flowers and a stuffed toy.

Photo of a teenage boy holding a fish — Several published photos of Stanzel show a young man who apparently enjoyed fishing, hunting, and other recreational activities. (Facebook)

“Emotionally numb”

“I think like everyone in the city of Perth, when I heard the news, I was shocked and numb,” Fenik told the CBC at the scene.

“That doesn’t happen in this community. This is a safe community. It’s a tight-knit community. We take care of each other.”

For several residents, the fact that another teenager was charged with second-degree murder only added to the sense of shock.

She cannot be publicly identified due to her age.

Although Fenik did not know Stanzel’s family or the 16-year-old accused of killing him, he said the death left the city in disbelief.

“People’s lives are ruined right now and it takes some time to deal with the grief, to let go and for people to move on,” he said.

A bald man in a white shirt with a red poppy stands in front of police tape on a dirt road. — John Fenik, the city’s former mayor, visited the scene of the killing on Sunday. Fenik said Stanzel’s death left him “shocked and emotionally numb.” (Guy Quenneville/CBC)

Near one supermarket on Sunday, local residents were clearly shocked.

“It’s shocking that no matter where you’re from or who you are, kids are killing kids,” Perth resident Peter Speak said. “Look at this city. It doesn’t look like an asylum for murderers.”

Dinah Ramsey also said she could not believe what had happened.

“Two small children,” she said. “It’s a tragedy.”

A soft toy lies on the ground among grass and leaves. — By Sunday, a memorial appeared near the place where Stantzel’s body was found. (Guy Quenneville/CBC)

The accused cannot be identified

Two of Stanzel’s relatives who visited the scene of his death Sunday recognized the teenager in photos posted on social media, but declined to speak to the CBC.

The photos show a young man who is apparently interested in outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing.

The teenager accused of killing Stanzel was remanded in custody Saturday pending her next scheduled court appearance on Oct. 31, Dixon said.

While Dixon would not comment on how Stanzel died, he said the OPP “had the evidence” to warrant charges of second-degree murder.