August 17, 2010 12:24 AM
- Text
Alleged 'Craigslist Killer' Found Dead in Cell
(CBS/AP)
Updated at 3:45 PM EST>
Philip Markoff, the Boston University medical student arrested in April and suspected being the "Craigslist killer" has been found dead in his jail cell after an "apparent suicide".
Ed Geary, Deputy Director of External Affairs at the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office in Massachusetts told CBS News Markoff was pronounced dead by medics at 10:17 a.m. Eastern on Sunday.
Markoff was being held at the Nashua Street Jail in Boston.
A statement released by Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis and Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said the suspect "was alone in his cell and all evidence collected thus far indicates that he took his own life."
Click here for "48 Hours Mystery's" coverage of the Craigslist murders.
Markoff, 22, was arrested during a traffic stop on Interstate 95 in Walpole, south of Boston. He was charged with a shooting death in a hotel of a masseuse and the robbery of another woman who both advertised their services on Craigslist.
Markoff's trial was expected in March.
John Salsberg, who was Markoff's lawyer, said he was shocked and saddened about his client's death. He would not comment further.
Markoff, a former Boston University student, pleaded not guilty in the April 2009 fatal shooting of Julissa Brisman, of New York City, and the armed robbery of a Las Vegas woman, both at Boston hotels.
Markoff's arrest came days after his image was shown on surveillance video at the hotels. Davis said that authorities had him under observation for days before making the arrest.
Shortly after his arrest in 2009, Markoff was put on suicide watch after shoelace marks were found on his neck, reports CBS News station WBZ in Boston.
At the time, John Salsberg said Markoff was having difficulty transitioning "from being free to being incarcerated."
Philip Markoff, the Boston University medical student arrested in April and suspected being the "Craigslist killer" has been found dead in his jail cell after an "apparent suicide".
Ed Geary, Deputy Director of External Affairs at the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office in Massachusetts told CBS News Markoff was pronounced dead by medics at 10:17 a.m. Eastern on Sunday.
Markoff was being held at the Nashua Street Jail in Boston.
A statement released by Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis and Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said the suspect "was alone in his cell and all evidence collected thus far indicates that he took his own life."
Click here for "48 Hours Mystery's" coverage of the Craigslist murders.
Markoff, 22, was arrested during a traffic stop on Interstate 95 in Walpole, south of Boston. He was charged with a shooting death in a hotel of a masseuse and the robbery of another woman who both advertised their services on Craigslist.
Markoff's trial was expected in March.
John Salsberg, who was Markoff's lawyer, said he was shocked and saddened about his client's death. He would not comment further.
Markoff, a former Boston University student, pleaded not guilty in the April 2009 fatal shooting of Julissa Brisman, of New York City, and the armed robbery of a Las Vegas woman, both at Boston hotels.
Markoff's arrest came days after his image was shown on surveillance video at the hotels. Davis said that authorities had him under observation for days before making the arrest.
Shortly after his arrest in 2009, Markoff was put on suicide watch after shoelace marks were found on his neck, reports CBS News station WBZ in Boston.
At the time, John Salsberg said Markoff was having difficulty transitioning "from being free to being incarcerated."
Latest Now in National
- Some glimmer of hope in Ohio employment
- State senator, wife attacked at western NY casino
- State senator, wife attacked at western NY casino
- Oldest federal judge remembered at Kan. service
- Suspect charged in gay GA man's videotaped beating
- Questions raised over gun NH boy used in school
- Questions raised over gun NH boy used in school
- Cold weather returns to the South; snow possible
- State senator, wife, attacked at western NY casino
- Hundreds gather in Kansas to remember oldest judge
- King memorial group head angry at monument change
- Family, teachers remember Powell boys in Tacoma
- US faces tough fight in cash smuggling crackdown
- US faces tough fight in cash smuggling crackdown
- Texans on wrong side of border fence grow anxious
- Texans on wrong side of border fence grow anxious
- Remains in Calif. ID'd as serial killers' victim
Latest CBS News Headlines
on Facebook
on CBS News
- Christian Siriano brings on creatures of the night
- Christian Siriano brings on creatures of the night
- Greek premier defends bailout deal, painful cuts
- Rachel Zoe collection: Rock-star girlfriend look
on Facebook
- Adele sings a cappella for Anderson Cooper
- Occupy protestors kicked out of CPAC
- CPAC: Will Sarah Palin spring a surprise?
- Beyonce and Jay-Z post first photos of Blue Ivy Carter
on CBS News






