Landmark ‘Bewitched’ Statue

A man found dead in Portsmouth, investigation is underway

A man faces charges after vandalizing an iconic statue in Salem, Massachusetts.

A statue of the “enchanted” landmark on Essex and Washington Streets was found covered in red paint on Monday.

“I actually smelled paint in the air,” Richard Renard said.

It was my wife who said, What does he do? We looked and got up and screamed.
He was standing here carelessly with red paint, just painting the statue.”

Police have identified the suspect as 32-year-old Keelen Chambers.

He was spotted near the train station minutes after the crime.

Police say he ran when officers approached him but was quickly arrested.

Chambers is charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and felony defamation.

The bronze statue commemorates the television show “Magic” that was shown in the sixties and seventies of the last century, and filmed several episodes in Salem, according to the city’s website.

It depicts actress Elizabeth Montgomery riding a broom.

Montgomery played main character Samantha Stevens on the show, a character known for flicking her nose to cast a spell.

“I’m about 50 years old, so I feel nostalgic,” said tourist Jennifer LaRose.

“This is what I saw growing up, so it holds a lot of beautiful memories for me.”

LaRose says the statue was a major destination when she was planning her trip here.