Craigslist Victim's Goal Was Staying Sober

The victim of the alleged "Craigslist killer" recently got sober and was looking to get her life on track, according to personal diary entries reviewed by the Village Voice.

Julissa Brisman was beaten and shot to death in a Boston hotel room April 14 after police say suspect Philip Markoff responded to an ad on Craigslist, the popular online classified site. Markoff pleaded not guilty to charges related to Brisman's murder and the robbery of another woman. Authorities also suspect Markoff in a second robbery attempt.

According to Brisman's journal, the 25-year-old struggled with alcohol before resolving to get sober and start repairing damaged relationships in her life. (Read 48 Hours' profile detailing her training as a drug counselor.)

"I had a taste of the sober life, and I liked it," she wrote in her last entry. "So why do this to myself; All the pain, humiliation and suffering [punctuation hers]. That was September 19, 2008 and I haven't touched a drink since."

After quitting her job as a bartender, Brisman supported herself through a series of odd jobs ranging from work at tanning salons, freelance modeling, acting and advertising herself as an erotic masseuse on Craigslist.

Brisman never wrote about her work as a masseuse in the diary, instead focusing on her sobriety.

"I asked ma what she wanted for Mother's Day and she said 'I already got the best Mother's Day you could ever give me, your sobriety,'" she wrote. "Put a smile on my face. I know cheesy, but being sober makes me smile."

Markoff is currently being held under suicide watch, reports CBS News correspondent Michelle Gielan. Court papers show that he is broke - saddled with $130,000 in student loan debt and unable to afford a lawyer. Police suspect gambling debts were the motive for Mardoff's alleged crimes.

Markoff still has the support of his fiancée, Megan McAllister, who issued a statement through her attorney Monday.

"To me and my family, he is a loving caring person."

But despite the words of support, the Bruce Springsteen tribute band scheduled to perform at their August wedding has been told they are no longer needed on that date.