A Grisly Double Murder Shocked Napa Valley. Three Cigarette Butts Led to the Killer’s Capture

A shocking double murder in Napa Valley left the community reeling, but it was the discovery of three cigarette butts that ultimately led to the capture of the killer.

The disturbing incident took place in October 2005, when an intruder entered the home of Leslie Mazzara and Adriane Insogna through an unlocked window in the early hours after Halloween. The assailant proceeded to brutally slash both women to death with a knife, sending shockwaves through the peaceful town of Napa Valley, renowned for its vineyards and safety.

Residents were deeply affected by the heinous crime, with one local describing it as akin to a scene from a horror movie. The victims, Mazzara and Insogna, were well-loved members of the community. Mazzara, a former beauty queen from South Carolina, had moved to Napa to be near her mother and was known for her vibrant personality that could light up a room.

Insogna, on the other hand, was a talented athlete who enjoyed playing volleyball and softball. She worked as a civil engineer at the Napa Sanitation District and had formed a close friendship with a colleague named Lily Prudhomme, who was engaged to a man named Eric Copple – a connection that would later prove pivotal in the investigation.

Despite an exhaustive search that involved interviewing 1,300 individuals and collecting 218 DNA samples, law enforcement struggled to make an arrest in the case for several months. However, a breakthrough came when it was revealed that the killer had left behind cigarette butts at the crime scene. The specific brand, Camel Turkish Gold, led authorities to focus their attention on Eric Copple, the partner of Insogna’s friend, Lily.

On September 27, 2006, Copple was apprehended following a confession to his family after realising that his preferred brand of cigarettes had been identified by the police. Investigators determined that Copple had entered the victims’ home in the early hours of November 1, 2005, through a window, where he proceeded to attack Mazzara before being confronted by Insogna.

The lone survivor of the grisly attack described the night as a living nightmare, reflecting the horror and trauma inflicted by the killer. As details of the crime emerged, it was revealed that Copple had gone on to marry Lily, raising chilling suspicions about his motive for the murders.

District Attorney Gary Lieberstein postulated that Copple’s jealousy towards Lily’s friendships may have triggered the violent outburst, leading to the tragic deaths of Mazzara and Insogna. Despite the arrest and subsequent revelations, the motive behind the murders remained shrouded in mystery, leaving the community grappling with the aftermath of the senseless tragedy.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the profound impact of violent crimes on individuals and communities, underscoring the importance of timely and thorough investigations in bringing perpetrators to justice and providing closure to those affected by such devastating acts of brutality.