Justin Bieber target of foiled murder plot? Report says N.M. men had a plan

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

(CBS/KRQE) ALBUQUERQUE - Investigators say two would-be Albuquerque hit men and a convicted killer may have been plotting to strangle and castrate teen pop star Justin Bieber and three other people, including his bodyguard, CBS affiliate KRQE reports.

Mark Staake, 41, and his 23-year-old nephew Tanner Ruane were allegedly plotting with convicted killer Dana Martin, who is serving two life sentences for raping and killing a 15-year-old girl. Investigators believe the mastermind was the 45-year-old Martin, who they say recruited Staake while the two were in prison together. Staake, in turn, enlisted his nephew.

Police say Staake and Ruane had planned to attack Bieber at a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City a few weeks ago, KRQE reports.

Staake was arrested in Vermont on outstanding warrants, but Ruane reportedly made it to New York where cops say they recorded phone calls of him telling Martin he was disappointed he couldn't carry out the murders. KRQE reports New York police arrested Ruane, who they say had murder tools and pruning shears with him.

According to the station, Martin is obsessed with Bieber and has a tattoo of him on his leg. He allegedly gave orders that the four victims be strangled with a paisley tie, the kind Martin used as his calling card, and then castrated.

Martin himself reportedly tipped off police about Staake and Ruane's intentions and revealed the alleged plot to kill Bieber and his bodyguard. The purported plan also called for killing two unnamed people in Vermont.

Add A Comment +