Susanne and Half Zantop were stabbed to death, State Attorney General Philip McLaughlin confirmed yesterday in a news conference held at the Hanover Police station.
He refused to comment on whether the weapon or weapons used in the attack were knives or other sharp objects.
McLaughlin also revealed the police believe the Zantops probably knew the person or persons who attacked the, since the police believe the couple regularly kept their doors locked while they were home.
"It is probable that the person or persons who entered their home were let in" by the Zantops, McLaughlin said.
Although he conceded that investigators could not rule out a random killing -- explaining that the trusting couple "might have let a stranger in" -- he said the police believe that they are "probably dealing with more of a targeted event than a random" crime.
"The logic points us in the direction of saying that some person either went there with the purpose of harming the Zantops or went there for other purposes, and, while there, something occurred to cause that person to harm the Zantops," he said.
Meanwhile, WNDS-TV in Derry, N.H. reported late last night that police had impounded a rental car that was returned Wednesday to Manchester Airport by an unidentified middle-aged man. WNDS reported that police were examining it in connection with the Zantops' homicides.
"They searched the car and fingerprinted it," Thrifty Car Rental garage employee Young Kim told WNDS.
"They didn't want [the employees] to go near it, but as far as I know from my supervisors it's connected to the Dartmouth murders," Kim said.
Thrifty Car Rental declined comment, and The Dartmouth was not able to contact Kim last night and therefore not able to confirm the WNDS report.
At the news conference yesterday, McLaughlin said he would not use the word "suspect" to define the anonymous College junior who was interviewed by The Dartmouth early yesterday morning who said he believed he was a suspect.
McLaughlin said his definition of a "suspect" is a person who arouses "persistent, logical belief" of guilt.
He declined to elaborate on the specifics of the Dartmouth junior. Mc Laughlin would not say whether the student was still being questioned.
But McLaughlin noted, "It's basically discomforting [for anyone] to be dealing with a homicide investigator," explaining that investigators tend to get "to the heart of things."
McLaughlin did not know how many students the investigation team had questioned, but he said, "We continue to interview a large pool of people," including students, friends, colleagues and neighbors of the Zantops.
In response to whether or not the stabbings were "ritualistic" in any way -- referring to the Dartmouth junior's assertion that he was asked if he practiced the religion, "Santera" -- McLaughlin said there were no "overt" signs of a ritual at the crime scene of which he knew.
For the first time, McLaughlin acknowledged that, in a sense, the investigation has moved beyond the boundaries of New Hampshire because some of the students being interviewed are from out of state and "some local people have left the area," which brings "a rouse of curiosity for us."
McLaughlin said the investigation team was coming closer to determining the time of death, but he would not release specifics. He also continued to keep any possible motive under wraps.
He said he released new information yesterday to "strike a balance" between keeping the public informed and maintaining the integrity of the investigation.
"This issue of maintaining the integrity of the investigation is common to us," McLaughlin said, acknowledging that in a community where "intelligent conversation" is the norm, some people are getting frustrated with the lack of answers to their questions.
He continued to insist that the members of the Dartmouth and Hanover communities should not be alarmed.
He said he places faith in the local police and the College's Safety and Security forces, saying, "There are bad people who do bad things," but that does not mean residents here are in direct risk of harm.
He reiterated that if the police were to recognize a danger to public safety at any time during the investigation, the public would be notified.
McLaughlin said he continues to be "eternally optimistic," explaining that the investigation team is continuously "exchanging new information and new insights." He said if they were to stop having this type of exchange, it could mean the investigation had met a dead end.
McLaughlin, at one point, spoke directly of the person or people who committed the murders, saying they "might well be watching" and then warned that party: "Be patient. We'll be there."
At the end of the conference, Hanover Police Chief Nick Giaccone stepped up to the podium and cautioned the 11 camera crews and numerous reporters present, "The community is concerned with the sensationalism that you've created here."
He said the press should be mindful of children and others in the community as it continues to cover the ongoing investigation.
McLaughlin indicated that his office would continue to hold press conferences over the weekend, but he was unsure of the times of the meetings. As of last night, today's press conference will be held at noon.
