Seth Mazzaglia is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the Oct. 9, 2012 death of 19-year-old Elizabeth “Lizzi” Marriott of Westborough, Massachusetts.
Marriott’s aunt Becky Hanna broke down in court when she was asked to look at her niece’s class schedule. Marriott had been living with Hanna while she attended college.
“Asked her to always check in with me and tell me if she was going to be home…so I would plan for her for dinner or not,” Hanna said.
When she didn’t return home, family and friends were immediately worried something was wrong.
Prosecutors said Wednesday the 31-year-old Mazzaglia raped and choked Marriott after she rejected his advances, eventually killing her. Her body was never found.
Mazzaglia’s lawyers countered that Marriott died after Mazzaglia’s then-girlfriend, Kathryn McDonough, lured her to their apartment, put a harness and collar on her and suffocated her during a rough sex act.
McDonough has already pleaded guilty to lesser charges. She is serving 1 ½ to 3 years in prison and is expected to testify against Mazzaglia.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.