The safe, close-knit feel of Dartmouth College in the New Hampshire town of Hanover was shattered yesterday by the apparent murders of two popular, long-time professors, a couple known for opening their hearts to others.
German-born Susanne and Half Zantop had welcomed so many guests into their home "they practically seemedto run a hotel," said colleague Bruce Duncan.
The couple's latest guest had arrived at their home and found the door unlocked, said neighbour Audrey McCollum.
"She went in and called out; there was no answer. She turned and saw Susanne on the floor with blood around her."
Susanne Zantop, aged 55, and her 62-year-old husband had taught in the eastern United States for at least 25 years, said Edward Berger, dean of arts and sciences.
Many of the college's nearly 5600 students learned of the deaths in a campus-wide e-mail from staff of the student newspaper.
Hanover, a picturesque town of just under 10,000, is generally safe.
When two women students from Ethiopia were murdered with an axe in 1991, police said they were the first killings in the town in more than 40 years.
