In October 2019, the small town of Perry, Iowa was rocked by the news that a beloved Spanish teacher at the local high school had been brutally beaten to death. The victim, 66-year-old Marilyn Schmitt, had been a teacher at Perry High School for over 20 years and was known for her kindness and dedication to her students.
The investigation into Schmitt’s murder quickly led to the arrest of two teenage boys, ages 16 and 17. The boys, who were both students at Perry High School, were charged with first-degree murder and faced the possibility of life in prison.
In February 2021, the two boys pleaded guilty to lesser charges of second-degree murder and were sentenced to 50 years in prison each. The plea deal was reached after the boys agreed to cooperate with prosecutors and testify against a third suspect, who is still awaiting trial.
The details of Schmitt’s murder are disturbing. According to court documents, the boys had been planning the attack for weeks and had even created a “kill list” of people they wanted to harm. On the day of the murder, they lured Schmitt to a secluded area near the high school and beat her with a metal rod and a baseball bat. They then left her body in a ditch and went to McDonald’s for breakfast.
The motive for the attack is still unclear, but prosecutors have suggested that the boys may have been inspired by violent video games and movies. They also reportedly had a history of disciplinary problems at school and had been suspended multiple times.
The community of Perry has been deeply affected by Schmitt’s murder. She was a well-respected teacher who had touched the lives of countless students over the years. Her death has left a hole in the community that will never be filled.
The case has also raised questions about the role of parents, schools, and society as a whole in preventing violence among young people. Many have called for increased mental health resources and better education on the dangers of violent media.
In the end, the guilty pleas and lengthy prison sentences for the two boys provide some measure of justice for Marilyn Schmitt and her family. But the tragedy of her death will never be forgotten, and the community of Perry will continue to mourn her loss for years to come.
