Patient admits fatally stabbing therapist

A man pleaded guilty in Salem Superior Court yesterday to stabbing to death his psychotherapist, Diruhi Mattian, in February 2008, said Steve O’Connell, a spokesman for the Essex district attorney. O’Connell said that Thomas Belanger, 22, of North Andover, who has had a history of psychiatric issues, stabbed Mattian to death and slit his own throat; he required extensive hospitalization. Belanger was charged with manslaughter and was sentenced to 14 to 15 years in state prison, O’Connell said. The stabbing occurred during a house call that Mattian made to Belanger’s residence.