Rebecca Koster's Killer Cut Out Her Tattoo Then Sent Taunting Texts to Family, Says NY DA
Photo: Rebecca Koster.
PICTURES: Rebecca Koster Brutally Murdered
Three days later, prosecutors allege, he sent text messages from Koster's phone to her family, pretending to be her and claiming that she was tied up in her boyfriend's basement.
The family, who had already filed a missing person's report, rushed to the home of Koster's boyfriend, Dan Mayor, only to find him talking to the cops with Rebecca nowhere to be found, according to Newsday.
Photo: Rebecca Koster.
PICTURES: Rebecca Koster Brutally Murdered
Now nearly two months later, Ganthier, 30, is charged with her murder. Ganthier pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder Tuesday in First District Court in Central Islip. He was ordered held without bail.
Koster, a 2003 Patchogue-Medford High School graduate who worked as a home health aide, went out with friends to two Suffolk County bars the night of Dec. 3. Her boyfriend and two female friends have said they dropped her at home at about 3:30 a.m. the next day.
Her burning remains were discovered in Connecticut on Dec. 4. Authorities say the 24-year-old's body was wrapped in a blanket, and she was beheaded. It took investigators five days to confirm Koster's identity because of the condition of the body.
During that time her alleged killer, Ganthier, apparently sent the misleading text messages to her family to cover his tracks, play a sick prank on Koster's family, or a little of both.
His lawyer said Ganthier maintains his innocence.
A grand jury is reviewing the case.