The Dartmouth Murders /// Part 1 /// 778

Update: 2024-08-06

Digest

The podcast tells the story of the Dartmouth murders, the brutal stabbing deaths of HALF and Suzanne Zantop, professors at Dartmouth College. The episode begins by introducing the Zantops, describing them as brilliant and accomplished individuals who lived a fulfilling life. On January 27th, 2001, Roxanne Verona, a fellow professor, discovered the couple's bodies in their home. Law enforcement arrived at the scene and quickly determined that the murders were targeted. The police investigated various potential motives, including an affair, a disgruntled student, or a personal grudge, but everyone seemed to love the Zantops. The crime scene revealed a struggle, with furniture overturned and documents scattered. The police found blood splatter throughout the study and a trail leading out the front door. Fingerprints were found on the desk chair, and boot prints from a unique hiking boot were discovered in the foyer and outside the house. Two knife sheaths were found on the floor, both with fingerprints. Autopsies revealed that both victims had been stabbed multiple times in the head, neck, and chest with a long, sharp knife. The police wondered if the crime was committed by one or multiple individuals. The New Hampshire Attorney General's office decided to keep information close to the vest, releasing only bits and pieces to the public. The police decided to withhold information from the public, hoping to avoid a firestorm of rumors. However, the murders became big news in the small community, and the Dartmouth newspaper ran numerous stories about the case. Theories about the murders quickly spread, ranging from a troubled student to a neo-Nazi connection. The police had a few early suspects, including a visiting professor who was a potential rival of HALF. They also investigated a student who was found with a knife and facial markings. The Attorney General, Philip McOflin, broke the silence on February 1st, revealing that HALF had been seen alive that morning and that the murders were committed by someone who had been allowed into the home. The case was assigned to Assistant Attorney General Kelly Aoda, who advised the public to be on the lookout for anyone exhibiting suspicious behavior. The FBI believed the killer might have fresh cuts, bruises, or wounds, be missing work or school, or be leaving the area in haste. The police asked the public for tips about unfamiliar cars or strange behavior. The Boston Globe published a salacious article, based on anonymous sources, claiming that HALF had been having an affair. The article was later retracted, as the investigators found no evidence of an affair. The police were unable to find anyone with a strong motive to kill the Zantops. HALF's teaching assistant, Tom Douglas, suggested that a genealogy professor might have had a motive, but this lead was ultimately dismissed. The police also investigated a student who was found with a knife, but this lead also proved to be a dead end. The Globe's false report about an affair smeared the names of innocent people and caused unnecessary distress to the Zantops' family. The New Hampshire State Police Crime Lab focused on the two knife sheaths found at the scene. They were identical, made of a black material called kitex, and bore logos reading \"sog specialty knives.\" The sheaths were for a specific model of knife, the sog seal 2000, which was consistent with the stab wounds. The discovery of two identical knife sheaths suggested that there were two perpetrators. The police were surprised that the knives were identical, as this seemed unusual. The knife sheaths, like the murder weapon in the Idaho murders case, would prove to be a crucial piece of evidence. The police investigated the sales of the sog seal 2000 knives, which were sold by mail order, online catalogs, and local retailers. SAWG specialty knives provided a 69-page report listing individuals, companies, and distributors who had purchased the knives. Trooper West focused on sales of two knives at the same time or by the same purchaser within a short period. While the knife sheath research was slow, other investigative avenues were pursued. Everyone who knew the Zantops was interviewed, including students, friends, family, their cleaning lady, and a driveway snow plow guy. The police had to sort through a lot of incoming information, some of which was unreliable. Paul New City, a witness, reported seeing a green Subaru speeding out of the Zantops' driveway the day before the murders. He described the driver as a young, pale, clean-shaven, thin white male with dark hair who looked \"punk.\" The police added a green Subaru to their list of vehicles of interest. Lab tests revealed that two of the boot prints found at the scene were distinctive and could be traced to a specific brand of hiking boot, men's size 11 and a half. The case was considered a \"sexy case\" due to its high profile and the availability of evidence and leads. In mid-February, Trooper West noticed a reseller in Massachusetts who had purchased a large shipment of the sog seal 2000 knives. He contacted the Massachusetts State Police, who obtained sales records from the reseller. Trooper West discovered that one buyer had purchased two sog seal 2000 knives within weeks of the murders. The buyer, Jim Parker, lived in Vermont, about 30 miles from the Zantops' house. He had paid for the knives with a money order and requested two-day delivery. The police went to Jim Parker's home and learned that he was a 16-year-old boy. His father, John Parker, welcomed the detectives into their home. Jim Parker admitted to buying the knives, claiming he and his friend, Robert Tolic, had bought them to cut saplings and build forts. However, the knives were too large and bulky, so they tried to sell them. Jim Parker appeared uncontrollably nervous during the interview. He explained that he was nervous because he was not used to talking to police. The police noticed a green 1996 Subaru station wagon in the Parker driveway, matching the description of the vehicle seen speeding out of the Zantops' driveway. The podcast concludes part one of the story, leaving the audience to wonder about the identity of the man who bought the knives from Jim Parker. The podcast will continue in part two.

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