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On the evening of Saturday January 27, 2001, Roxana Verona drove to the small town of

Avetna, New Hampshire and turned onto Trescot Road.

It was a long stretch of bitumen flanked by brush, low stone walls and tall thickets of trees on either side.

There was also roughly an inch of fresh snow on the ground.

Occasionally, picturesque homes could be seen through the dense foliage,

but most of the roads houses were hidden from view.

Although it was only just after 630 p.m. the area was already cloaked in darkness

due to the mid-winter season. Roxana pulled up at a gravel driveway and turned following the curved 50-yard driveway

downhill and parking at its base. Next to the driveway was a garage and behind it was a two-story house.

Built just 16 years earlier in 1985, the property was modern and surrounded by gardens and

woods, making it an ideal home for residents seeking a peaceful retreat.

The couple who lived in the house were Roxana's good friends, Hoff and Susanna Zantop. A warm social pair they had invited Roxana over for dinner.

Roxana grabbed her handbag and a salad she'd made before getting out of the car and walking to the front door.

She rang the doorbell, then placed a hand on the door knob.

To her surprise, the door was unlocked.

Despite being the Prize, the door was unlocked.

Despite being the sort of people who often hosted guests, Hoff and Susanna were also

...