A University of New Hampshire student who was believed to have been killed by a 29-year-old man may have died during a sexual encounter, according to sources.
A law enforcement source who had been briefed on the investigation confirmed to FOX 25 Tuesday that police were investigating the possibility that Elizabeth "Lizzi" Marriott was strangled during a sexual encounter.
Marriott disappeared on Oct. 9 after attending a night class at UNH. She texted friends that she would meet them shortly after and never showed up.
Family members and friends became worried after Marriott failed to show up work the next day.
On Sept. 13, Seth Mazzaglia was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in her death.
Mazzaglia was arraigned Monday and held without bail at the Strafford County House of Correction. During the arraignment it was learned that Marriott died from strangulation and/or smothering.
Mazzaglia didn't speak during the arraignment and did not enter a plea in the case.
On Tuesday police continued to search the Lookout Point area on Peirce Island in Portsmouth for Marriott's body. New Hampshire Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young said the search could last for days.
Related:
- IMAGES: Search for Elizabeth Marriott's body focuses on water
- Search for missing UNH student continues, no body recovered
- Missing UNH student was strangled, suffocated
- Suspect in death of UNH student Elizabeth Marriott due in court
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