Missing NH college student dead; suspect charged

Elizabeth "Lizzi" Marriott, a marine biology major who volunteered at the New England Aquarium, is believed to be dead and law enforcement officials continued to search for her body, Assistant Attorney General James Vara said Saturday.

Seth Mazzaglia, 29, of Dover, who's charged with second-degree murder, knew Marriott, Vara said, but he declined to say how or what led to Mazzaglia's arrest. He said police had "credible" information leading them to believe Marriott is dead, though he wouldn't elaborate.

"This is the worst parents nightmare, a missing child and with an unfavorable outcome,' Marriott's family said in a statement Saturday. The family asked for prayers for rescue personnel who are looking for their daughter, saying they need to "bring her home."

A family friend, Dawn Downey of Westborough, Mass., described Marriott as an attractive young woman who was active in chorus in high school and was prom queen during her junior year. Marriott was helping to put herself through college by working at Target.

"She was just a good girl. That's probably what got her in trouble. She was too trusting and she was beautiful. Those two things will kill you," Downey said.

Marriott had attended a class Tuesday night and made plans to visit friends in Dover. Her cellphone was last used in Dover that night, according to fliers that family members posted around town. Her car was later found in a parking lot on campus in Durham.

"We were greatly saddened to learn of Lizzi's death and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends," UNH President Mark W. Huddleston said in a statement. "Lizzi was a new member of the university community and will be missed in our classrooms. Our focus now will be on supporting our campus community during this difficult time."

The university was making counselors available to students. A moment of silence was planned in Marriott's honor at the school's hockey game Saturday night.