Beloved Dartmouth College professors Half and Susanne Zantop were brutally murdered in their home, leading to a shocking investigation. Two high school students with a deadly plan were uncovered as unlikely suspects. The podcast delves into the gruesome crime scene, the tracking down of the murder weapons, the mysterious disappearance of the teens, their arrest, and the aftermath of the trial.
The Zantop murders were committed by two high school students with detailed planning and motives of financial gain and a sense of superiority.
Investigation focused on unique knife sheaths as key evidence, leading to the identification and apprehension of the teenage culprits.
Legal proceedings resulted in life-altering consequences for James Parker and Robert Tullock, highlighting the complexities of juvenile cases and potential re-sentencing.
Deep dives
The Discovery at the Zantop Residence
Roxana Verona arrived at the Zantop house for dinner with her friends, Hoff and Susanna Zantop, only to find them both brutally murdered. Susanna had a slash across her throat and was found in the study, while Hoff was stabbed multiple times in the chest and head. The house showed signs of a violent struggle, leading to suspicions of a targeted attack.
The Investigation and Initial Suspects
Detectives discovered unique knife sheaths at the crime scene, indicating the use of specific knives in the murders. These knives led to a list of over 5,000 potential buyers, ultimately linking the crime to two knives bought by teenagers, James Parker and Robert Tullock. Despite initial doubts, James' fingerprints matched those found on the crime scene, implicating them in the murders.
The Fugitive Teens and Capture
James Parker and Robert Tullock went on the run, receiving a lift from truckers as they attempted to flee. The teens were ultimately apprehended in Indiana after a trucker recognized them from a news report and called the authorities. The discovery of the murder weapons and bloodstains on the knives in their possession solidified their connection to the Zantop murders.
Motives Behind the Heinous Crime
Robert Tullock and James Parker meticulously planned a series of criminal activities, escalating to a plan to rob and kill unsuspecting victims. Their motives included financial gain and a desire to practice taking lives due to a sense of superiority. Despite initial failed attempts, they eventually carried out a brutal attack on a couple, largely driven by a pattern of escalating violent thoughts agreed upon by both friends.
Legal Consequences and Future Outlook
The repercussions of their actions were severe, leading to life-altering legal outcomes for both juveniles. James Parker eventually agreed to a plea deal while Robert Tullock, initially planning an insanity plea, ultimately pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. Despite being imprisoned separately, both individuals faced consequences for their heinous acts, with the legal system navigating the complexities of their cases, including potential re-sentencing years later.
When Half and Susanne Zantop were found brutally stabbed to death in their Etna, New Hampshire home, friends, colleagues and investigators were all at a loss to understand it.
The married couple were both beloved professors at Dartmouth College, and no one could think of a reason why someone would want to harm them. But a crucial clue left at the crime scene would lead investigators directly to some unlikely suspects: two high school students with a deadly plan…