Accused 'Craigslist Killer' Philip Markoff commits suicide in Boston jail

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Accused 'Craigslist Killer' Philip Markoff commits suicide in Boston jail - Local News Updates - MetroDesk - The Boston Globe

Accused “Craigslist Killer” Philip Markoff committed suicide at the Nashua Street Jail in Boston, where he was being held awaiting trial in the slaying of Julissa Brisman, according to Steven Tompkins, spokesman for the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office.

Markoff, 24, was pronounced dead at 10:17 this morning. He was found suffocated with a plastic bag over his head, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation.

While authorities are still investigating, Markoff was alone in his cell and all evidence collected so far indicates that it was a suicide, said a statement released by Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis and Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley.

They released no information about how Markoff died.

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Authorities have said that Markoff shot Brisman, 25, a New York masseuse who traveled to Boston after placing an advertisement for her services on Craigslist, three times with a handgun on April 14, 2009 after they struggled in the doorway of her room on the 20th floor of the Marriott Copley in Boston. A bullet pierced her heart. Prosecutors said Markoff also battered her head.

Markoff was also charged with attacking two other women he met through the classified advertising website. His next court appearance was a hearing scheduled for mid-September, according to John Salsberg, Markoff's attorney.

“I’m shocked and saddened by the news,” said John Salsberg, Markoff’s attorney.

Salsberg declined to comment further.

Media surrounded the Nashua Street jail this afternoon and into the evening as prisoners held up signs to their windows commenting on Markoff's death.

One sign read, "I'm staying alive."

Another said, "All rapists should die."

Markoff had been placed on suicide watch shortly after his arrest nearly a week after the slaying.

In April 2009, Markoff was examined by medical staff at the jail and put in a special cell under camera surveillance after a correction officer saw marks on his neck that suggested he had tried to use shoelaces to hang himself, the Globe reported at the time.

In May, a prison official told the Globe that Markoff was no longer being segregated from other prisoners. He was acclimating well, playing chess with the other inmates, according to the official.

Police arrested Markoff, who was living in Quincy, on April 20, 2009 after stopping him on Interstate 95 in Walpole. Markoff told police he was headed to the Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. His fiancee, Megan McAllister, also was in the car.

Markoff and McAllister were driven to Boston in separate cars. He was held, while McAllister was released. In his arraignment the next day, Markoff pleaded not guilty to homicide and armed robbery charges.

Markoff and McAllister had been planning to marry in August 2009, but she called off the wedding.

Markoff, a former Boston University medical student, was also charged with armed robbery and kidnapping in two similar incidents in which the victims were not injured.
 

Dave

Staff member
Bullies and murders hate to be victims. Buh-bye.



This is one of those times I hope there really is a God. Then this guy would be screaming for a long, long time in a lake of fire.
 
Good riddance. Wish they'd all have attacks of conscience like this, and save the taxpayers the cost of their cable.
I love when law enforcement officials want suspects to die instead of ever going to trial.[/QUOTE]

Trials are good. When someone decides to take themselves out of the gene pool out of a sense of guilt over a crime they've committed - when it's something as heinous as rape and/or murder, you're not going to find me, or many other law enforcement personnel crying copious tears.

tl;dr Charlie has issues with me. Film at 11.
 
You don't know any more than anyone else if it was a sense of guilt or if it was because of how hellish our prison system is. It's kind of horrible when anyone takes justice into their own hands.
 

Dave

Staff member
I think if it were the prison system there'd be a lot more suicides, right? And he took justice into his own hands.
 
Tin, there's no denying that you are a clever bastard, but your post is so subtle, I am embarassed to say that its point is lost on me.

I'm inclined to agree with Charlie on this one, the severity of such an accusation puts stains on your reputation that can never be wiped clean. However, if he did commit suicide on the basis of his guilt, then good riddance to trash.
 
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