Oct. 15, 2012

Dear Members of the University Community,

The university community was devastated to learn over the weekend of the death of Elizabeth “Lizzi” Marriott, a new student in the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture here at UNH who was studying to be a marine biologist. Words can’t begin to express the depth of our sympathy for her family, friends, and everyone whose life she touched. Plans are underway for a service on campus in Lizzi’s memory, and we will post details at www.unh.edu as soon as they are available. In addition, the UNH counseling staff will be available to students who want to speak with someone. The UNH Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week, and 24-hour help is available to anyone by calling 603-862-2090.

I also want you to know how very much we value the safety and well being of all of our students. For that reason I feel it is important for our chief of police to share what he can about how the situation unfolded.

Sincerely,

Mark W. Huddleston
President, University of New Hampshire 

From Paul Dean, UNH Chief of Police

The safety of our students and broader university community is the number one priority of my department, and we are constantly working with our colleagues across campus to get information out to students to keep them safe.

As soon as we were alerted about Lizzi’s disappearance on Thursday, Oct. 11, my department immediately began assisting the Chester, N.H., Police Department with the investigation. The university communicated to all members of its community that same day via e-mail, text and social media urging anyone with information to contact police.

As stated publicly by the state Attorney General’s office, at no time was there any indication of a danger to other members of our campus community. I assure you that we would have taken any and all appropriate measures if there had been. While I cannot share many details due to the fact that this is an active and ongoing police investigation, we knew this crime was not random and that Lizzi had left campus to meet a friend.

All safety related announcements are published on the police website and I encourage you to visit it and review our safety messages. http://www.unh.edu/upd/. In addition, parents are encouraged to subscribe to the university alert system https://alert.unh.edu/index.php?CCheck=1 to receive messages about emergency situations on campus.

Oct. 13, 2012

UNH Statement on Death of Elizabeth "Lizzi" Marriott

University officials were deeply saddened to learn of the murder of 19-year-old Elizabeth “Lizzi” Marriott, a sophomore in the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture at the University of New Hampshire, who had been missing since Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012. Marriott, who was residing with family in Chester while commuting to UNH, was studying marine biology. She was in her first semester at UNH.

“We were greatly saddened to learn of Lizzi’s death and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends,” said UNH President Mark W. Huddleston. “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.”

A moment of silence in Lizzi’s honor will be observed at the beginning of tonight’s men’s hockey game.

University officials were also shocked to learn a UNH alum has been charged in connection with Marriott’s death. Seth Mazzaglia graduated in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in theater.

The UNH counseling staff will be available to students who want to speak with someone. The UNH Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week, and 24-hour help is available to anyone by calling 603-862-2090.

Erika Mantz
Director, UNH Media Relations
(603) 969-7916