Chocksett Middle School in Sterling, Massachusetts, discovered a student bringing a notebook related to "Death Note" to school, subsequently contacting the police and launching an investigation. The school stated that the investigation found no intent to threaten the school or specific students in the notebook or its contents; the student involved was suspended for three days.
The school contacted the police on September 30. By the time officers arrived, the student involved had already left for the day. The student explained to school staff that the notebook was related to the plot of "Death Note." In this manga and anime series, the protagonist, Light Yagami, kills people by writing their names in a supernatural notebook.
Principal Tina Boss informed the school community that investigators interviewed dozens of students and, combined with findings from the Sterling Police Department, found no evidence that the notebook or its contents were intended to threaten the school or any specific students. The police stated that, based on the available information, there was no imminent threat and they did not plan to file criminal charges.
A parent, Jen DiCandia, objected to the involved student's return to school after suspension, stating that her daughter's name appeared in the notebook. She noted that the two students still share three classes and requested that the school keep them separated long-term so her daughter can feel safe studying at school.