Local Community Reeling After Teen Charged with Murder

UPDATE | On Nov. 28, 2024, OPP announced that the second-degree murder charge had been changed to first-degree murder. On Nov. 26, 2025, the young person pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. Sentencing proceedings have been scheduled for February.

Residents in the peaceful town of Perth, Ont., were coming to terms this weekend with the unexpected loss of a local teenager and the subsequent murder charge against another teen.

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

Soon after, police detained a 16-year-old at a nearby house and charged her with second-degree murder.

No one else has been arrested in relation to this incident, according to OPP on Monday.

Stanzel’s body was located near Herriot Street, an unsealed dead-end road known locally as a hangout for teens, according to former Perth mayor John Fenik.

Fenik visited the site on Sunday, where police tape still blocked access and flowers along with a plush toy had been left by mourners.

Several photos circulating online show Stanzel as a young man who enjoyed fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities. (Facebook)

‘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 here. It’s a safe community. It’s a close-knit community. We look after each other.”

For many residents, learning that another teen has been charged with murder has only added to their disbelief.

Because she’s underage, her identity cannot be made public.

While Fenik didn’t know Stanzel’s family or the 16-year-old accused in his death, he said everyone in town is struggling to comprehend what happened.

“People’s lives are shattered right now and it’s going to take time for everyone to grieve and move forward,” he stated.

John Fenik visited where Stanzel died on Sunday. He expressed feeling ‘in shock and emotionally numb.’ (Guy Quenneville/CBC)

Tatianna Mosher, part of a group advocating for Perth’s first dog park, mentioned she got acquainted with Stanzel because he volunteered there. She described him as someone who loved hunting, fishing and biking.

“He was such a good-hearted soul,” Mosher shared.

The Upper Canada District School Board confirmed that Stanzel was enrolled at Perth District Collegiate Institute.

“This tragic event has significantly affected our community and we are offering mental health support for students and staff at our school as they cope with this heartbreaking news,” superintendent Marsha Mc Nair said in an emailed statement on Monday.

Friends of Stanzel intend to place this cross at the location where his body was discovered. (Supplied by Tatianna Mosher)

Over the weekend, locals came together in their shock.

“It’s shocking that no matter where you’re from or who you are kids are killing kids,” remarked Perth resident Peter Speak. “Look at this town; it doesn’t seem like it would be prone to such violence.”

Daina Ramsey also expressed disbelief over what transpired.<>.”Two young kids,” she said.”It’s such an awful tragedy.”<><><><>.

The Accused Remains Anonymous

A couple of relatives of Stanzel who visited where he passed away recognized him from photos shared online but chose not to speak on record with CBC... The b</b>. while Dickson won’t comment on how Stanzel died , he did mention OPP “did have evidence” justifying a second-degree murder charge. b.. By  Sunday,  a  memorial  had  been  set up  near  where  Stanzel’s body had been found.(Guy Quenneville/CBC).

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