4:25 p.m.: The police issued a detailed plea to the public in an effort to squeeze additional information from anyone who may have unknowingly been in contact with the person or persons who murdered Susanne and Half Zantop.
In a press release today, the Hanover Homicide Task Force listed 11 behavioral changes and scenarios that could relate to the murderer.
According to Senior Assistant Attorney General Kelly Ayotte, the items on the list are specific attributes that the killer would be likely to demonstrate, and not a general list that applies in all homicide cases.
"We're trying to focus the public," she said. Flanked by special agents from the FBI as well as state and local police officers, Ayotte urged the public to come forward with any information that might be related to the case.
"Your call may be the one that provides us with the information needed to solve this case," the statement said.
Ayotte said at this point, she could not release a profile of a possible perpertrator that had been created by members of the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime after analyzing the crime scene.
FBI Special Agent Charles Prouty said profiling is "not a science -- it's an art." He said there might be a time when it is appropriate to release the profile, but both he and Ayotte said the information is being used in the ongoing investigation.
And although one of the listed items was "Sudden shaving of facial and/or head hair, or, the growing of a mustache, beard, etc.," Prouty said investigators did not have in mind a male or female suspect in mind -- and would be happy to receive any information from the public.
The list asks people to contact the investigation task force if they have information about someone leaving or arriving unexpectedly in the Hanover area.
Ayotte repeated that the killer could be part of the national or international community -- or could have remained in Hanover after the Jan. 27 killings.
"This is in no way limited to members of the immediate area," she said.
Ayotte said she could still not comment on motive, although she continued to say that the Zantops were most likely targeted.
She said she could not comment on whether there was a struggle at 115 Trescott Road while the crime was being committed, although the list of suspicious activities warned the public to look out for "unexplained injuries/bruises, particularly on the hands or arms."
She also would not comment on what kind of vehicle brought the killer to and from the crime scene or whether the murderer definitely used a vehicle the day of the homicides, although the list of criteria asks the public to be on the lookout for someone who is "No longer operating their vehicle for no plausible reason."
"This might include suddenly keeping this vehicle in a shed or a garage, selling it, giving it away," the release explains.
Ayotte also said she could not comment on the age of the murderer or the time of the Zantops' deaths.
Prouty said there does not appear to be any federal jurisdiction over this case right now, and the bureau continues playing a "back-up role" in this case.
Federal jurisdiction would be established if there were significant information leading investigators to believe that the killer crossed state lines to commit the crime or fled to another state after killing the Zantops.
However, he said the FBI is providing state investigators with multiple resources including the 'Rapid Start' computer system as well as the products of the profiling work.
Ayotte again repeated that arrest is still not imminent, but that the investigation continues to make progress every day.
She said the investigation has and continues to receive a "tremendous" amount of information from the public and that the leads have not dried up.
Other changes/scenarios listed by the investigators:
-- Changes in the consumption of alcohol, drugs or cigarettes.
-- Missing work or other routine engagement(s), particularly on Saturday, Jan. 27 or Sunday, Jan. 28; but also during the week of Jan. 29 or the week prior to the investigation.
-- Unexpectedly leaving or arriving in the area for a plausible-sounding reason (possibly relating to work, visiting distant relative or friend, or to a Dartmouth College or Hanover area event).
-- An unnatural interest in the status of this investigation, close attention to the media, etc.
-- A noted display of nervousness or irritability.
-- Changes in routine sleep patterns.
Ayotte said it is important to note that the exhibition of one or more of these behavioral changes is not indicative of an individual's involvement in these crimes.
Anyone with information should contact the police by phone at 877-246-2100, by email at hanover.police@hanovernh.org, or by mail at Hanover Homicide Task Force, P. O. Box 400, Hanover, NH 03755.
