Counselors will be on hand in Montco stabbing death

The Spring-Ford Area School District will have counselors available Tuesday for students upset over the weekend stabbing death of high school senior Julianne Siller.

Siller, 17, of Royersford, described as "cool, funny, and outgoing" by fellow students, was due to graduate June 13 from Spring-Ford Area High School.

Authorities said she was stabbed multiple times by her boyfriend, Tristan Stahley, 16, as the two quarreled while walking Saturday night along a trail near Palmer Park on Creamery Road in Skippack Township, not far from Stahley's home.

According to Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steele, Siller and Stahley had dated off and on since January, and were heard arguing just before leaving Stahley's house.

Steele said in a statement Stahley dragged Siller's body into woods near the trail, then returned home and told his mother he had broken up with Siller and had killed her. An orange-handled folding utility/rescue knife was recovered by police, Steele said.

"This whole incident is just a tragic case," he said. "You have a young woman whose life was taken from her, and a 16-year-old who faces potential life in prison for his actions."

In a statement posted on the school district website, Spring-Ford Superintendent David R. Goodin outlined the plan for helping any student struggling over Siller's death:

"Because the reactions to the death of a student, peer, or friend can vary, plans are currently being made to address the grieving process for our students and staff.

"It is important to know that the grieving process is normal and can range from withdrawal, crying, and anger. For that reason, the high school administration and staff are working with several counseling services to ensure we are fully prepared for all students.

"We know you share in our concern and sympathy for the [Siller] family."

Neither Goodin nor Siller's family could be reached Monday.

A portrait of Siller as a busy, fun-loving teenager emerged from social-media sites, including Twitter.

On May 13, Siller, a cat lover, tweeted: "Cats will eventually take over the world."

On May 15, she tweeted: "I am so ready for the beach this weekend."

And on May 22, three days before her death, she tweeted about the burdens of being heavily scheduled: "Balancing school, two jobs, and a social life is way more difficult than expected."

Steele said Siller had planned to attend college.

Stahley is held without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. He is charged as an adult with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, and possession of a weapon of crime.