To Die For

In Little Hope, Suzanne Stone is glamorous and ambitiously pursues a world-famous broadcast career. She targets WWEN and begins as an assistant, seizing every chance to prove herself. Her goal is to rise through the ranks and gain on-air prominence.

She marries Larry Maretto despite differences and his family's disapproval. The union ties her to the Marettos’ restaurant business, giving her a financial foothold as she chases television stardom.

Suzanne uses access to the Marettos’ restaurant to stabilize her finances while pursuing a bigger role at WWEN. She starts as an assistant and leverages small victories to push toward the evening weather slot.

She visits a local high school to recruit subjects for her documentary Teens Speak Out. There she draws the attention of troubled youths Jimmy Emmett and Russell Hines and befriends Lydia Mertz.

Larry insists Suzanne quit her career to help at the restaurant and start a family. Suzanne feels her dream slipping away and grows more determined to secure her future.

She begins laying the groundwork for a drastic plan, enticing Jimmy and persuading him to murder Larry. She presents a deception that Larry abused her and promises them a future in California.

One night, while Suzanne is delivering the weather report, Jimmy and Russell break into the Marettos’ condo and Jimmy shoots Larry. The police later determine the death resulted from a botched burglary rather than a straightforward murder.

The case draws media attention after investigators discover a clip from Teens Speak Out implicating Suzanne. The investigation begins to unravel her carefully crafted image.

Lydia collaborates with the police, wearing a wire to trap Suzanne, who naively argues that police used entrapment. The city watches as the case intensifies.

Suzanne is released on bail and all charges are eventually dropped as the case becomes a national spectacle. Her public persona remains intact as she spins the narrative.

Suzanne faces intense media scrutiny as she tries to frame the case in her favor, claiming abuse and manipulation. Jimmy and Russell receive life sentences, while Lydia is released on probation as the legal process winds down.

Larry’s father Joe Maretto, convinced of Suzanne's involvement, uses his mafia connections to target her. A hitman, posing as a movie studio executive, lures Suzanne away from home, shoots her, and hides her body beneath a frozen lake.

Lydia recounts her side of the story in a televised interview, gaining national attention and elevating her profile. The final image shows Janice Maretto practicing figure skating on the frozen lake where Suzanne's body lies, ending the tragedy on a chilling note.