These 4 Famous Homicides In New Hampshire Will Never Be Forgotten
By Michelle|Published October 16, 2020
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Michelle
Author
Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
When most people think about New Hampshire they might picture tall, green mountains and beautiful blue lakes. Maybe autumn fall foliage comes to mind. Or, sunny days on our (short) coastline. Still others might think about quaint country covered bridges and long rural roads to nowhere. All of that is lovely, but we’re not without our creepy history. Do you remember these homicides?
In 2001, Dartmouth College professors Half and Susanne Zantop were at home preparing dinner for a dinner guest to arrive that evening. Two high-school students came to the door posing as researchers with the intention of stealing the couple's pin numbers, then robbing and killing them. They were successful, though the murders happened faster than planned when one of the killers became angry. Later, the Zantop's dinner guest arrived to find the bodies. Both students were charged with the crimes and are currently serving time in New Hampshire.
Over the years Rasmussen took on five different aliases. He's responsible for the murders of his girlfriend, her two daughters and his own daughter, all of whom were found in a two barrels in Allenstown, New Hampshire. He wasn't connected to this crime until 2017 when DNA clearly linked him. But he was in plenty of trouble before that. He's responsible for the deaths of at least 3 other people connected to him and a string of other crimes. He died in prison in 2010.
Briggs was a New Hampshire police officer killed in the line of duty in Manchester by Michael "Stix" Addison. Addison fled the state and was caught in Dorchester, Massachusetts. He was charged with murder and sentenced to death, which caused an uproar related to whether the death penalty had a place in the Granite State. The last person put to death in the state was Howard Long in 1939. Today, Addison is the only person on death row in the state of New Hampshire. And, following in his father's footsteps, Mitchell Briggs, graduated from the police academy in 2019.
In the 1980s women began to go missing in New Hampshire. As bodies were found it became clear that they had been stabbing victims. Most of the murders are believed to have taken place in the Claremont area as well as in the Connecticut River Valley. Over time police began to suspect a serial killer. There are believed to be 6 victims, as well as one attempt. There were two suspects, but to-date there have been no concrete charges.
