MA MA - Phillip Markoff, Craigslist Killer

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He looks like he just stepped from the pages of a catalogue, with a stylish, dark jacket, tousled hair and cool nonchalance as he glides down an escalator to a marbled landing, casually typing a message into a cell phone.

But the young man caught on surveillance tapes isn’t another tourist or businessman. He is, police believe, an unlikely killer near an equally unlikely murder scene, the 20th floor of an upscale Back Bay hotel.
And as authorities launched a hunt for the man -- also captured on surveillance cameras last week at the Westin Hotel, where a 29-year-old Las Vegas woman was bound and robbed at gunpoint -- the killing opened a window on the elusive underworld of prostitutes who advertise online and do business at high-end hotels. (more at link)

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/04/police_woman_ki.html

One of the four photos released by Boston police. To see all four, click here.
 
Interesting that the article didn't state how this guy paid for the rooms. Cash and fake ID maybe?

One good thing is AFAIK, Blackberry's are not throwaway phones and hopefully it dialed out on the hotels Wi-fi and maybe the phone number can be tracked that way.
 
Both women had their own rooms.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/04/police_id_woman_1.html

Boston police today identified the 26-year-old woman gunned down at the Marriott Copley as Julissa Brisman, a New York City resident who apparently met her killer through an ad for massage services she posted on Craigslist.
Police believe Brisman was struggling with her attacker on the 20th floor of the posh Back Bay hotel when he shot her multiple times in the torso on Tuesday night. She apparently was fighting the attacker as he tried to bind her hands with a plastic cord, according to law enforcement officials. A massage table was found in her room at the Marriott Copley. (more at link)
 
Both advertised on Craigslist, came in from out of town, and rented rooms. He met one outside then went to her room. Was this a prearrainged appointment or is this guy randomly approaching women outside hotels? If this was prearrainged, you'd think there would be contact via info listed on the women's Craiglist's adds. I wonder if he's following any of the media that might be twittering about this story?
 
I only know a little about the prostitution world but if her ad on Craigslist had contact info wouldn't his number be on her phone, or his email address on her computer? Assuming it's not a prepaid that would help find him.
 
Both advertised on Craigslist, came in from out of town, and rented rooms. He met one outside then went to her room. Was this a prearrainged appointment or is this guy randomly approaching women outside hotels? If this was prearrainged, you'd think there would be contact via info listed on the women's Craiglist's adds. I wonder if he's following any of the media that might be twittering about this story?

When it comes to ads on craigslist for escorts the guy calls or emails and makes an appointment and then shows up. There has to be some kind of contact info from this man.
 
When it comes to ads on craigslist for escorts the guy calls or emails and makes an appointment and then shows up. There has to be some kind of contact info from this man.

ITA, there has to be.

He sure is nonchalant in those pics. Creepy.
 
Both advertised on Craigslist, came in from out of town, and rented rooms. He met one outside then went to her room. Was this a prearrainged appointment or is this guy randomly approaching women outside hotels? If this was prearrainged, you'd think there would be contact via info listed on the women's Craiglist's adds. I wonder if he's following any of the media that might be twittering about this story?


I am assuming that she placed an ad on Craigslists Erotic Services. He replyed and they met at the hotel. There are many escorts out there who do rent rooms nightly and then have their "clients" come to them at the hotel. If he did in fact contact her thru an ad she posted on CL, most of the escorts take phone calls, and no blocked numbers... so there has to be record of contact.

I searched thru craigslist, and an ad was posted on 4-9 a day before the incident. Shes a petite blonde, from vegas, and claims she is at a 5 star hotel in Boston....

ETA: removed CL link. This same girl posted yesterday, also looking for exotic services. Doubtful its the right girl.
 
I am assuming that she placed an ad on Craigslists Erotic Services. He replyed and they met at the hotel. There are many escorts out there who do rent rooms nightly and then have their "clients" come to them at the hotel. If he did in fact contact her thru an ad she posted on CL, most of the escorts take phone calls, and no blocked numbers... so there has to be record of contact.

I searched thru craigslist, and an ad was posted on 4-9 a day before the incident. Shes a petite blonde, from vegas, and claims she is at a 5 star hotel in Boston....

ETA: removed CL link. This same girl posted yesterday, also looking for exotic services. Doubtful its the right girl.

That is not her... I have posted a photo right above you of the girl.
 
Friends describe victim as a sweet, energetic young woman

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/04/friends_describ.html

Friends remembered Julissa Brisman today as an aspiring actress and model, a sweet, energetic young woman who battled alcoholism and was trying to leave her old life behind.

Videographer Mark Pines worked with Brisman at Near Ear Logo, a New York group that promotes safe cellphone use. Brisman modeled there and was featured as the "Cell Phone Girl" in a short public service video, which can be found here. Pines described Brisman today as an alcoholic who had been sober for well over a year.
 
What I am confused about is why someone would target craig's list personal ads for robbery victims? I could understand if he always planned on killing them but the articles make it seem as though the intention was robbery, I mean I know these women get paid for their "services", but how much money would they be carrying to a location away from their home? I am not understanding how that could be a reasonable motive, then again obviously this guy isn't too reasonable:( If anybody has any ideas on this, I would love to hear them!
 
What I am confused about is why someone would target craig's list personal ads for robbery victims? I could understand if he always planned on killing them but the articles make it seem as though the intention was robbery, I mean I know these women get paid for their "services", but how much money would they be carrying to a location away from their home? I am not understanding how that could be a reasonable motive, then again obviously this guy isn't too reasonable:( If anybody has any ideas on this, I would love to hear them!

From my understanding some of the girls make 2-3 thousand dollars a day. Away from home and what they are doing is not legal they carry it on them and not deposit it in a bank. Robbery of an escort is a common thing but it's not reported often.
 
From my understanding some of the girls make 2-3 thousand dollars a day. Away from home and what they are doing is not legal they carry it on them and not deposit it in a bank. Robbery of an escort is a common thing but it's not reported often.

Thank you very much for that information, with those figures it makes alot more sense that robbery would be the motive. I hope the perpetrator of these crimes is apprehended soon, as he obviously has no remorse for his crimes. If the man shown in the pictures released by LE is responsible, his demeanor (if shot after the crime took place) is just chilling. It seems hopeful though as the pictures are clear enough for recognition. Thanks again Gracenote for your input.
 
I just read about this. I know in the original article it says she may or may not be a prostitute, but I didn't get the vibe from the one I read originally that she was. I could be wrong though. I hope she wasn't, but either way, this is very sad. :(
 

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