Craigslist: Classified For Murder?

48 Hours Delves Into The Life Of Philip Markoff To Uncover How He Went From Promising Young Medical Student To Alleged Killer

(CBS)  A double life, a privileged life. Obsession and sexual fantasy. Who knew his secret? Was there no one to stop him?

48 Hours Mystery examines the double life of Boston University medical student Philip Markoff, as well as the life of his alleged victim.

With the help of private investigator Joe Moura, we learn more about the investigation and the charges against Markoff. Boston Globe reporter Maria Cramer, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Michael Welner and a forensic computer expert add their insight in the case.

We look at the dark side of the digital world, and the expanding world of Craigslist. Has it become the new portal of prostitution? Our shocking investigation exposes a Web of complicated relationships.

And we take a look at the life of Julissa Brisman, 25, whose young life was cut short as she worked to get it back on track.

Case Overview Correspondent Peter Van Sant takes a look at the events leading to the arrest of Philip Markoff, the suspect in the Craigslist killing, and how he was caught. Read More

Online Predators Chrissie Long, 13, was a cheerleader, altar girl and 6th-grade honor student. But her life came to an end when she was killed by a man she met online. Troy Roberts reports. Read More

Craigslist: Anything... Anytime Has Craigslist become a new portal for prostitution? As Harold Dow reports, a 48 Hours investigation exposes a web of complicated relationships. Read More

Julissa's Story Julissa Brisman, the doe-eyed beauty whose short and troubled life was so brutally snuffed out in a Boston hotel room, would have celebrated her 26th birthday on April 24. Daniel Sieberg has her story. Read More

In The News More Charges To Come Accused Craigslist Killer "Brilliant" Police: Gun Match In Craigslist Killing Investigators Turn To Craigslist For Clues "Craigslist Killer" Suspect's Dark Side Items Link Craigslist Suspect To Victims Who Is The Craigslist Suspect? Med Student Arrested In Craigslist Murder Hunt For "Craigslist Killer" Intensifies Possible Lead In Boston Craigslist Murder

Video: More on the case from CBS News. Exclusive: Markoff Victim Speaks Craigslist: Classifed For Murder? The Mind Of An Alleged Killer Clues In Craigslist Crime Craigslist Killer's Motive Craigslist Killer Charged Trying To Police Piracy An Unlikely Suspect Search For Craigslist Killer

[csi-lover]

What makes this slez bag so damning is the fact that all the student loans he took out and then had to resort to killing, robbing, and torturing? Why? Because of his selfishness in that he was a gambler. What a real loser. Steal from the government, blow the money gambling, and then go after easy targets to steal money to pay off his debts. It probably would have been better if the mafia just chopped his head off and saved us all the grief...

[kamsack50]

Okay, I've checked it out a bit.
So, it seems the only thing that makes this a story is Geeky White Ivy Leaguer Picking On Honest
Just-Trying-To-Make-A-Living sex worker - with the internet thing thrown in.
Isn't that all there is to it?

[citizenusa-2009]

Why "glam" this up? This is nothing more than a "john" robbing and killing prostitutes...this has gone on for hundreds of years! "Julissa" offered "erotic massage" and "stress hand relief" for $200 buck an hour. Plueessse!

Julissa lived in the fast lane and then died there. This is a lesson for all women. Go to college and get a job that involves more than your female "parts".

[kamsack50]

Is this thing real or is this a TV reality show?
Haven't followed this story much. But the line between what's 'real' and what isn't has blurred for me seriously lately with this reality culture we live in.

[Cherokeeangel060338]

People like this guy are what makes the internet so dangerous. We are given the luxery of being able to be in touch with friends old and new all over the world and and unfortunately freaks like this worm their way into peoples lives. Take him off the suicide watch and turn your head prison guards. Save some taxpayers some money!!!! My advice to the girls that encountered this guy and others like him, please, get some pride in yourselves, you are all beautiful women and you can do much better than soliciting to sell sex online. You will more than likely end up dead one day and I know as a parent I would be devastated to get that call.
Trust me there are alot more of these creeps out here just surfing to meet their next victims.
Again, no more suicide watch I am tired of paying for these murderers meals, beds, playtime, and to basically be a mooch in life off of our taxes. Let him do it. He is just wanting more attention. Just as every sociopath does.
Cherokeeangel060338

[hercule1122]

I found the comments by LeeKimLA very discerning. How does a student have the time to be gamblingand having trysts with ladies and even be passing his work at BU. I am sure that he will be portrayed as a genius, but he really looks like a ******* if what the police say about him are correct. Medical school is very comprehensive (at least it used to be) and all of this raises questions in my mind about quality control there. I too am sure the school will not respond in any way!

[JoetheDumbass]

Why blame craigslist when you can go to chat rooms with titles like"Brief encounters" on AOL/Yahoo? Even Banners on youtube and other popular sites have links to webpages to meet"Local, exciting singles in your area".
This is nothing new.

[LeoKinLA]

It's amazing to me that no reporter has gotten a peep out of any of the other med students at BU about this guy. What was his behavior like, especially in the last two weeks? How does a med student have time to run around to casinos and secret meetings? So was he up on his studies? Sure the administration is going to say 'no comment', but you'd think his fellow students would say something.

As to what may have triggered this (assuming it's him, which is legally still an assumption), the late teens to early twenties are the most common years for serious mental illness to begin presenting itself. Perhaps that was the case here.

Finally, how do they ever find "unbiased" people for juries on cases like this?? They'll have to find some real hermits for anyone who hasn't been bombarded with info on this story!

[cloudy412]

It looks like this man is a serial killer, although he did let one victim live. He just chose that forum (Craigslist) to lure the women, maybe because it was so easy. i don't see where Craigslist is to blame if you are willing to go to hotels and meet men you don't know. What is Craigslist supposed to do send a bodyguard for you.

[ashtine]

This college friend of Phil's who claims that he pushed her against the wall is someone who is looking for her 15 minutes of fame and some money. I'm sick of hearing about her story of how he pushed her up against the wall and tried to kiss her. It doesn't seem fair to me how this guy is getting tried in the press. I agree that the evidence against him sounds really solid but how is he supposed to get an impartial jury when he is already being portrayed as totally guilty?? And the poor fiance. Yesterday I saw a picture of her taken while she was trying to have dinner IN HER HOUSE! That means someone took her picture thru a window of her house!
Blaming Craigslist is ridiculous. There are predators everywhere and anyone answering an adult ad or meeting someone in a hotel room whom they know absolutely nothing about is taking a huge risk.

[albert571]

I'm a 51ish year old man,in my few wiser years (after 45)I've learned a few things about lies and the truth .First:the truth is sometimes hum-drum and sometimes quite normal,hence no one wants to read about normal hum-drum boaring news stories.Then comes the liar,man this guy has the most fantastic stories you've ever read in your life he keeps you on the edge of your seat with his wit and unbeleaveable sci-fi action packed stories,now who are you gonna stick with the truth or the liar?I'de be a liar myself if I said all reporters lie.But it's safe to say 98% of what you read is strait out of CBS news.They all come here because it's so beleaveable!! They don't check sources ever .So read on and some fun....

[mandyh87]

I watched this special last night, and I couldn't believe how one of the victims needed to be shadowed out during her interview for security issues, but provided like 4 photos of herself. Which are posted on this website if you look up. I'm not saying that what happened to any of these girls is right, but each time you show up to an "erotic appointment" you're setting yourself up for something to go wrong. It's only a matter of time for something bad to happen if you keep with this lifestyle. Money is never worth losing your life over.

[Ichabod09]

Excuse me. I forget. What exactly is yellow journalism?

[WayAround]

I'll tell you what is really scary about this article...

CBS is changing the whole focus of the 48 Hours Mystery show. It began with the Amanda Knox story.

Previously, CBS delved into the files for resolved cases that involved an interesting twist.

Starting with the Amanda Knox story, however, CBS has decided to serve as judge, jury, and executioner for cases that are just getting under way. First, Knox. Now, Markoff.

Come on, CBS, I can't believe that you've expended all of the good cases in the files....

[dbstevens]

An asinine article. More suited to a cheap tabloid than real news.