Mazzaglia Indicted on Four Counts in Murder of Elizabeth 'Lizzi' Marriott

A Dover, NH, man has been indicted on a charge of murdering Elizabeth "Lizzi" Marriott, a University of New Hampshire student, last fall.

According to Strafford County Superior Court documents, Seth Mazzaglia, 30, of Dover, NH, was indicted on four counts for causing the death of Marriott in his apartment on the night of Oct. 9, 2012. The grand jury handed up the indictments against Mazzaglia on April 18.

Mazzaglia was indicted on two counts of first degree murder for allegedly strangling Marriott while committing a felonious sexual assault, according to court documents. Mazzaglia was also indicted on a second degree murder charge for "recklessly" causing Marriott's death, according to court documents.

Mazzaglia was also indicted for conspiracy to commit hindering apprehension or prosecution after state prosecutors allege that he and his girlfriend, Kathryn McDonough, 19, of Portsmouth took several steps to eliminate any physical evidence that Marriott was in his apartment on Oct. 9.

The Marriott family released a statement today through its attorney, George Thompson of Westborough.

"The Marriott family is satisfied with the indictment. The past several months have been very difficult for the Marriott family and the next several days will be very trying. The criminal case is expected to last for quite some time but the Marriott family is resolute in its demand for justice for Lizzi as well as its defense of Lizzi’s life and legacy," the statement reads.

"The Marriott family is extremely appreciative of the NH Attorney General’s office, Dover Police, NH State Police, NH Marine Patrol, NH Fish and Game, FBI and numerous other organizations for the hard work they have put into this investigation. The Marriott family appreciates the ongoing prayers and best wishes for their family as they continue to mourn the loss of Lizzi. Finally, The Marriott family also appreciates the gifts of those who have perpetuated Lizzi’s legacy and love for the environment by giving to the Lizzi Marriott Intrepid Explorer Trust Fund.

"It is the Marriott’s understanding that the arrest warrants and affidavits may contain statements from Mr. Mazzaglia and others that are, in essence, reprehensible, salacious and intentionally designed to suggest that Lizzi’s murder was the accidental consequence of a bizarre, abnormal consensual act. The statements are a complete fabrication and are more indicative of Mr. Mazzaglia’s twisted sense of reality and responsibility as opposed to Lizzi’s character and the life she led for 19 years. In short, the statements of Mr. Mazzaglia are at odds with many of the allegations in the indictment and should be viewed with extreme skepticism.

"Lizzi was a proud New Hampshire resident and UNH Wildcat. She was enthused by her college choice and the life of possibility before her. She was secure in her life experience with a loving family and remarkable friendships in Massachusetts and New Hampshire all of which shaped her character and truly defined her. She was an incredibly kind and caring individual. What Mr. Mazzaglia, or any other, may suggest allegedly took place for a few minutes in a Dover apartment completely defies the reality of the 19 years of Lizzi’s life as best attested to by her family, friends and community. Going forward, the Marriott family refuses to further dignify Mr. Mazzaglia’s fabrication and continued assault on Lizzi’s legacy."

According to court documents, Mazzaglia and McDonough created a fake text message to Elizabeth Marriott's cell phone asking why she never showed up at Mazzaglia's apartment. They also deleted text messages on their cell phones that talked about their plans to meet Marriott at Mazzaglia's apartment on Oct. 9.

The couple also gathered clothing and other items that belonged to Marriott at Mazzaglia's apartment and disposed of them, according to court documents. They also used Marriott's car to drive to Peirce Island in Portsmouth where they dumped Marriott's body into the Piscataqua River. The couple then threw away the blue tarp they used to cover up Marriott's body, the rope that Mazzaglia used to strangle her, Marriott's suitcase, Marriott's clothing and other items into several dumpsters.

The couple also broke Marriott's cell phone and GPS navigation device in her car and left her car parked in a University of New Hampshire parking lot, according to court documents. Mazzaglia and McDonough then concocted an alibi to conceal their whereabouts on the night of the murder, according to court documents.

On April 10, a Rockingham County Grand Jury indicted McDonough of Portsmouth, NH, for three felony counts of witness tampering, hindering apprehension or prosecution and conspiracy to commit hindering apprehension or prosecution related to Marriott's murder.

It has taken the New Hampshire Attorney General's office seven months to indict Mazzaglia. New Hampshire Senior Assistant Attorney General Peter Hinckley had  filed his motion seeking an extension on Jan. 29 and previously said state prosecutors wanted more time because “there is still follow up investigation that needs to be made.”

State prosecutors originally had 90 days to present their case after Mazzaglia waived probable cause on Oct. 26.

State prosecutors filed their first motion to extend the bind-over period on Jan. 7, which was subsequently approved by the court. As a result, they had until the end of February to present their case against Mazzaglia to a grand jury.

The New Hampshire Attorney General's office had alleged that Mazzaglia strangled or suffocated Marriott on Oct 9 in his Dover apartment. Marriott had attended a class at the University of New Hampshire that night and headed to Dover to see some friends.

Authorities launched a massive search for Marriott's body that began in October, but no trace of her body has yet been found. Some of the areas where New Hampshire Marine Patrol and New Hampshire Fish and Game conservation officers focused their search were around Peirce Island in Portsmouth and off Fox Point in Newington.