Oxygen is re-airing the Snapped investigation into the senseless murders of roommates Leslie Ann Mazzara and Adriane Insogna by Eric Copple in the women’s home in Napa, California.
Mazzara and Insogna were both 26-year-old professional women who shared a house with a third roommate, Lauren Meanza. On Halloween Night, in the early hours of November 1, 2004, the three women were sleeping, having spent the night giving out candy to the neighborhood children.
Unbeknown to them, Eric Copple stood outside their home chain smoking cigarettes while waiting to strike. Copple was the soon-to-be husband of Lily Prudhomme, a close friend and colleague of Mazzara.
At some point, Copple snuck into the house through a downstairs kitchen window and went upstairs. He stabbed Mazzara and Insogna as they slept in their beds.
The third roommate, Meanza, awoke to the sound of screaming and breaking glass. She fled the house and drove away while calling the police on her cell phone.
Initially, the cops were stumped by the case as they couldn’t find any reason why anyone would not kill these two women. The investigators interviewed 1000s of people and took DNA samples from hundreds. They spoke to everyone who had had any contact with the victims, either socially or professionally.
Police began closing in on Eric Copple for Leslie Ann Mazzara and Adriane Insogna murders
After about a year, the police announced that DNA and forensic evidence suggested the killer was a white male who smoked Camel Turkish Gold cigarettes. A short time later, Copple turned himself in.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelCopple admitted to killing the two women but claimed he didn’t remember much about the murders. A motive for the murders was never made clear, but Copple did say he had struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts since he was a teenager.
The killer pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. He is currently incarcerated at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, CA.
Eric Copple is forbidden to discuss killing Leslie Ann Mazzara and Adriane Insogna
As part of his plea deal, Copple is not allowed to discuss the case with the media or profit in any way from the murders of Mazzara and Insogna.
Napa County District Attorney Gary Lieberstein explained, “He can never talk about what happened that night except for clergy or family members. He may not discuss the facts of the case with the media or anyone dealing with writing a book.”
This murder shocked the Napa community, which is considered one of the safest spots in America, nestled away in the famous idyllic California wine-making region. At the time of Copple’s arrest, neighbor Sharon Ford told reporters, “This freaks me out because this isn’t supposed to happen in Napa. We don’t have murders here.”
This episode of Snapped re-airs Monday at 9/8c on Oxygen.