A Chocksett Middle School student brought a Death Note notebook to class, triggering a suspension and police probe.
A student at Chocksett Middle School in Sterling, Massachusetts, sparked a formal police investigation after bringing a homemade Death Note notebook to school. School administrators contacted local law enforcement on September 30 after discovering the item among the student's belongings after classes had already been dismissed for the day.
The student explained to school staff that the notebook was inspired by a popular manga and anime series of the same name, where the main character, Light Yagami, uses a supernatural notebook to eliminate criminals by writing their names inside. Despite the fictional connection, the discovery prompted swift administrative action and a multi-agency review, according to information published by E-SPORTS.
Principal Tina Boss stated that investigators interviewed dozens of students to assess potential risks. While authorities found no immediate threat and issued no criminal charges, the incident has exposed deep concerns among parents regarding campus safety and appropriate student behavior.
Sterling Police Department Investigation Details
Following the discovery, the Sterling Police Department and a multidisciplinary school team launched a comprehensive review of the situation. Principal Tina Boss informed the community that investigators interviewed numerous pupils to determine if any malicious intent existed.
The official findings indicated no evidence that the notebook was intended to threaten the school or any specific individual. Officials concluded the item tied directly to an inappropriate theme from a television series that managed to infiltrate the campus environment, resulting in a formal student suspension.
Parental Concerns and Safety Demands
Despite official assurances of safety, parent Jen DiCandia expressed outrage after discovering her daughter's name written inside the notebook. DiCandia challenged the student's return following a brief three-day suspension and retained legal counsel to advocate for stronger preventative measures.
DiCandia demanded that the school permanently separate the students to ensure her daughter feels safe in her classroom every single day. She emphasized that regardless of whether the notebook was intended as a joke or a video game reference, the presence of peer names on such a list remains deeply alarming.
History of Death Note Controversies in Schools
The incident in Sterling is part of a broader pattern involving Death Note-inspired notebooks causing disruptions in educational institutions across the United States. Similar events have repeatedly forced school administrators and law enforcement to intervene over the past two decades.
In September 2026, a 12-year-old student in Florida was arrested after creating a list of students and staff at Argyle Elementary School. Similar panic occurred in 2024 at LeBron James’ I Promise school in Akron, Ohio, alongside prior incidents in Alabama and New Hampshire dating back to 2008.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did police investigate the Death Note notebook in Sterling?
School administrators at Chocksett Middle School contacted the Sterling Police Department on September 30 after discovering a student's notebook modeled after the Death Note anime series, prompting a standard safety review.
Were any criminal charges filed against the Massachusetts student?
No criminal charges were filed because investigators and the Sterling Police Department found no evidence of a direct threat toward the school or any particular student after interviewing dozens of peers.
What did parents say about the Death Note school incident?
Parent Jen DiCandia expressed strong concern and retained an attorney after finding her daughter's name inside the book, calling for permanent separation between the students to ensure classroom safety.
Have other schools experienced issues with Death Note notebooks?
Yes, multiple schools across the United States have faced similar incidents since 2008, including recent security investigations in Florida, Ohio, Alabama, and New Hampshire involving student-made notebooks.
