INVESTIGATIVE REPORT: An in-depth investigative story based on good investigative reporting techniques; obtaining and using public information as a foundation for news stories; including Interviews of both ‘experts’, scientists, and ‘witnesses’ as well as possible suspects; all the while conducting yourself in an ethical and professional manner with an emphasis on producing stories that make a difference. Contributing Reporters: Stephen DiNapoli '24, Victoria Engle '24, James Maxwell '24, Michael Pagan '24, Lia Prosperino '25, Chase Sorby '24, Joe Vedovato
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Breaking News: Investigative Report # 1
Reporters James Maxwell '24, and Chase Sorby '24
A tragedy Struck the Westlake Community, Westlake High School Principal Mr. Keith Schenker was found dead. His body was found in the reflection room at Westlake High School. FBI Investigators are saying they believe he was murdered sometime between Friday May 12 and and Monday May 15, 2023.
Keith Schenker, beloved Principal of Westlake High School, fondly known by his students as “Schenky-Poo”, died suddenly this week of yet undetermined causes. For Schenker, a lifelong learner, schools out forever. He was only a half-century old and as healthy as a horse. He was found in the Reflection Room at Westlake High School by his devoted Secretary of 12 years, Mrs. Christine Cerrato. The coroner determined he died between 7 pm Friday, May 12, and 6:30 am Monday, May 15, 2023. Services will be held on Wednesday, May 31 on the new “Keith Schenker Memorial” turf field. Assistant Principal Ken Amann will officiate.
Keith Schenker, beloved Principal of Westlake High School, fondly known by his students as “Schenky-Poo”, died suddenly this week of yet undetermined causes. For Schenker, a lifelong learner, schools out forever. He was only a half-century old and as healthy as a horse. He was found in the Reflection Room at Westlake High School by his devoted Secretary of 12 years, Mrs. Christine Cerrato. The coroner determined he died between 7 pm Friday, May 12, and 6:30 am Monday, May 15, 2023. Services will be held on Wednesday, May 31 on the new “Keith Schenker Memorial” turf field. Assistant Principal Ken Amann will officiate.
Investigative Report #2
Reporters Michael Pagan '24, Stephen Dinapoli '24
We continue to follow the investigation of the recent murder of Westlake High School Principal Keith Schenker. Schenker was found Monday May 15 in the Westlake High School Reflection room by his long time Secretary, Christine Cerrato. The coroner determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the back of the head. Evidence at the crime scene revealed that Schenker’s death was caused by being hit over the head repeatedly with a ski pole. This week FBI agents have released key information about several suspects: English Teacher Kevin O’Connor, Art Teacher Carolyn Frawley, Science Teacher Michelle Speisman, Health Teacher Carolyn Kaufman, Social Studies Teacher Anthony Marinaccio, and Special Education teacher Debbie DeNoia. FBI agents have found evidence that O’Connor and Marinaccio socialize outside of the school building, skiing with Schenker and Science Teacher Mary Newell. The investigation is ongoing at Westlake High School, Stay tuned as more information becomes available.
Investigative report #3
Reporters Lia Prosperino '25, Joe Vedovto '24 and Victoria Engle '24
Between 7:00 pm on May 12th and 6:30am on May 15th Mr. Keith Schenker, Principal of Westlake High School was brutally murdered. His body was found in the reflection room on the morning of Monday May 15th by his secretary, Mrs. Christine Cerrato. Also found at the crime scene were a bloody ski pole, guitar, bloody hand and shoe prints, as well as a bloody tissue in garbage. There were several key suspects and as of this reporting, The individual responsible for Mr. Schenkers death is still on the loose. Forensic FBI agents have been working hard to get to the bottom of this crime, narrowing down suspects to English Teacher Mr. Kevin O’Connor and Social Studies Teacher Mr. Anthony Marinaccio.
Investigative Report Press Conference
Reporters Stephen DiNapoli, Victoria Engle, James Maxwell, Michael Pagan, Lia Prosperino, Chase Sorby, Joe Vedovato
Beloved Principal Keith Schenker was found by his Secretary Christine Cerrato in the Reflection Room on the morning of May 15th at 6:30 am. FBI agents found the murder weapon - a ski pole found to have DNA from both Schenker and Social Studies teacher Anthony Marinaccio.
The agents on the case also uncovered teachers Carolyn Frawley, Carolyn Kaufman, Deb Denoia, Michelle Speisman, Mary Newell and Kevin O'Connor all working with Social Studies teacher Anthony Marinaccio in an Antiquities side business. In addition they discovered Newell, O'Connor, Marinaccio and Schenker had gone skiing together on more than one occasion.
In a conversation on the lift, Schenker mentions that he has acquired a book of undetermined value, however, he doesn’t explain how he acquired it, just that he needs to have it appraised. He announces he may need Marinaccio’s connections to get it appraised. Marinaccio excited by the prospect of selling the book says he may have some connections if Schenker wants to hand it over. Schenker, however, is leery of handing over the book. O'Connor, genuinely interested in Marinaccio’s side hustle, pipes in and asks to take a look at the book himself since he knows something about antiquities and may know someone Marinaccio could use. In the meantime, after a curriculum leader meeting, Schenker asks McClintock if he knows an antiquities appraiser. McClintock says he’d be happy to help but would need to take the item in question to pass it on to ‘his guy’ and have it valued. Again, Schenker is leery of handing over the book. O'Connor and Marinaccio are desperate to get their hands on the book and make several appointments with Christine Cerrato to meet with Schenker under the guise of a 'book group'. O'Connor and Marinaccio are seen frequenting the main office and are in an out of the conference room. O’Connor pops into Schenker’s office while he is out on rounds and sees the book on his desk. He quietly slips it into his backpack and sneaks out through the conference room. He tells Marinaccio Schenker gave him the book and instead of having it valued, he posts the book on eBay immediately. Bidding wars are instant and growing by the second. O’Connor can’t believe his luck. O’Connor texts Marinaccio and Schenker “Meet me in the Reflection Room at 6:00 p.m. I’ve got something we all need to discuss.” In a last ditch attempt to get his hands on the book Marinaccio struck Schenker over the head multiple times with a ski pole which proved to be fatal. A press meeting was held on Friday June 9th with FBI agents Gianna Catalic and Maggie Plotkin.
The agents on the case also uncovered teachers Carolyn Frawley, Carolyn Kaufman, Deb Denoia, Michelle Speisman, Mary Newell and Kevin O'Connor all working with Social Studies teacher Anthony Marinaccio in an Antiquities side business. In addition they discovered Newell, O'Connor, Marinaccio and Schenker had gone skiing together on more than one occasion.
In a conversation on the lift, Schenker mentions that he has acquired a book of undetermined value, however, he doesn’t explain how he acquired it, just that he needs to have it appraised. He announces he may need Marinaccio’s connections to get it appraised. Marinaccio excited by the prospect of selling the book says he may have some connections if Schenker wants to hand it over. Schenker, however, is leery of handing over the book. O'Connor, genuinely interested in Marinaccio’s side hustle, pipes in and asks to take a look at the book himself since he knows something about antiquities and may know someone Marinaccio could use. In the meantime, after a curriculum leader meeting, Schenker asks McClintock if he knows an antiquities appraiser. McClintock says he’d be happy to help but would need to take the item in question to pass it on to ‘his guy’ and have it valued. Again, Schenker is leery of handing over the book. O'Connor and Marinaccio are desperate to get their hands on the book and make several appointments with Christine Cerrato to meet with Schenker under the guise of a 'book group'. O'Connor and Marinaccio are seen frequenting the main office and are in an out of the conference room. O’Connor pops into Schenker’s office while he is out on rounds and sees the book on his desk. He quietly slips it into his backpack and sneaks out through the conference room. He tells Marinaccio Schenker gave him the book and instead of having it valued, he posts the book on eBay immediately. Bidding wars are instant and growing by the second. O’Connor can’t believe his luck. O’Connor texts Marinaccio and Schenker “Meet me in the Reflection Room at 6:00 p.m. I’ve got something we all need to discuss.” In a last ditch attempt to get his hands on the book Marinaccio struck Schenker over the head multiple times with a ski pole which proved to be fatal. A press meeting was held on Friday June 9th with FBI agents Gianna Catalic and Maggie Plotkin.
Complete News Report