Philip Markoff

Case record: Philip Markoff

Background

Philip Haynes Markoff (February 12, 1986 – August 15, 2010) was an American medical student.

Markoff was the son of Susan Haynes and Richard Markoff, a dentist in Syracuse, New York. He had an older brother, Jon Markoff.

Markoff graduated in 2004 from Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society, the History Club, and the Youth Court, and he was on the school bowling and golf teams.

A former English teacher and neighbor described Markoff as "a good student and just a really nice kid. Smart, wanting to succeed, nothing strange, nothing out of the ordinary".

After high school, Markoff attended SUNY Albany where he was a pre-med student and a member of the Young Republicans. He graduated from SUNY Albany in 2007.

At the time of the crimes, Markoff was a second-year medical student at Boston University School of Medicine. He was suspended from the school following the charges against him.

Markoff met Megan McAllister, a native of New Jersey, in 2005 while they were both volunteers at the Albany Medical Center Hospital emergency room. They were engaged to be married, with their wedding planned for August 14, 2009. McAllister was to have begun medical school in the fall of 2009.

Megan McAllister later said she and Markoff were living off student loans because as a student Markoff could not work and she was unemployed. She said: "We're living dollar to dollar," and "I mean, this is how everyone lives. Either, you know, you have rich parents who pay for your medical school or you take out loans."

McAllister said she had searched Craigslist to look for nanny jobs, but Markoff never went on the site. She said: "Oh, no, no no, no, no. . . . He doesn't go on Craigslist,' and "I mean . . . he's not going to find work or anything, you know."

McAllister described their life as somewhat lonely. She said: "He doesn't have any great friends," and "He has a couple of friends at BU that I don't even know that well. . . . We don't hang out with people that much. We don't have money to go out, so it's like we're at home most of the time."

She said they went to Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut once or twice a month, where Markoff played blackjack while she watched. She said: "If he's up, he'll keep playing, but if he loses money, he'll stop," and "He said he was not a heavy gambler." She also said: "He seldom went to class, reading his professors' lectures online instead," and "I mean, we're in the apartment 24/7," and "He doesn't have a life because he's in medical school."

McAllister said she had gone home to New Jersey to plan the wedding in the month of the crimes. She said she talked to Markoff every night.

The offence

Markoff was charged with the armed robbery and murder of Julissa Brisman in a Boston, Massachusetts hotel on April 14, 2009, and with two other armed robberies.

Law enforcement officials suspected that Markoff was responsible for three robberies committed in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Each robbery involved a woman victim. The crimes were closely spaced in time and exhibited strong similarities.

1. Trisha Leffler (an escort) was bound, gagged, and robbed at gunpoint on Friday, April 10, 2009, at the Westin Copley Place Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts.

2. Julissa Brisman (who had posted an advertisement online offering massage services) was found dead on Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at the Copley Marriott, also in Boston.

3. Corinne Stout (an exotic dancer offering lap dance services) was the victim of attempted robbery on Thursday, April 16, 2009, at a Holiday Inn Express in Warwick, Rhode Island.

The media referred to the murder and other murders as "Craigslist killings" because the killer was alleged to have met victims through ads placed on Craigslist, two of whom were offering erotic services. The events surrounding the killings were dramatized in a made-for TV movie; "The Craigslist Killer" aired January 3, 2011 on the Lifetime Network.

Investigation

Police investigation relied on security camera footage, cell phone activity, and email accounts.

Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis said: "I realized we were dealing with someone who murdered without hesitation," and "We had the trappings of a serial murderer here about to take off."

Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said evidence against Markoff was overwhelming, and he said there was no clear motive. Conley also said: "There apparently was a very dark and sinister side to Philip Markoff that he took to the grave with him."

Arrest

On April 20, 2009, police arrested Markoff, who was living in the High Point Apartments in Quincy, Massachusetts.

The arrest took place on Interstate 95 in Walpole, Massachusetts, while Markoff and McAllister were en route to Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut.

Markoff was arrested after police cited security camera footage, cell phone activity, and email accounts as evidence.

Trial

Markoff was arraigned on murder and gun charges brought by the Suffolk County DA in Brisman's slaying on April 21, 2009.

At his arraignment, where he was represented by Boston attorney John Salsberg, Markoff maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Markoff was held without bail on a murder charge. Separate bonds were set on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping stemming from the incident involving a second woman.

A judge subsequently delayed the start of the trial until March 2011. Originally, the trial against Markoff was expected to begin in July 2010.

Markoff's lawyer contended that Markoff had already been unfairly "convicted" in the media at the time of his arrest, thereby adversely prejudicing his right to a fair trial.

Sentencing

No sentencing occurred because Markoff died while awaiting trial.

Appeals

No appeal outcome was reported.

Outcome

On August 15, 2010, Markoff committed suicide in Boston's Nashua Street Jail, where he was being held in custody awaiting trial.

The Suffolk County District Attorney formally terminated prosecution as a result of Markoff's death.

Davis and Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley made a joint statement after earlier suicide-related concerns. Conley and Davis said: "Markoff was alone in his cell, and all evidence collected thus far indicates that he took his own life."

ABC News and other reporting described professionals disagreeing on the meaning of Markoff's final actions. Casey Jordan, a lawyer and criminologist, said: "He believed it was a kind thing he did. It makes sense that he wrote her name and put up her photographs because she was the last thing he was thinking of." Lynne Schwartz, a forensic psychologist practicing in New York State, said: "If you want to say goodbye to someone, you write a note and leave it in your cell," and "It all felt very hostile to me ... he feels like he's the one who's been betrayed. It's all about him. He didn't say, 'I'm sorry, you were the most important person in my life. I beg your forgiveness.' Think about it: who communicates in blood? Doing it this way is not about love to me."

Aftermath

Markoff's death while in custody raised concerns about the safety of inmates in Massachusetts prisons.

Stephen Murphy, Chairman of the Boston City Council Public Safety Committee, called for an independent investigation of Markoff's death and procedures at the Nashua Street Jail. Murphy asserted that jail officials had a duty of proper care and custody of all inmates and said Markoff should have been watched more closely given his prior suicide attempts.

The media included detailed coverage of Markoff's death, including claims that he wrote "Megan" and "Pocket" in blood on the wall of his cell and placed photographs around his cell prior to taking his life.

The death also denied Julissa Brisman's family an opportunity to confront Markoff and hear details of their loved one's final moments. Djuna Perkins, an attorney for Brisman's mother, Carmen Guzman, said: "First, he took their daughter from them, then he denied that opportunity for them," and "Many people who deal with homicide never get over it, but the criminal trial allows them to confront the suspect, hear the evidence and reach some resolution in the case."

Perkins said Markoff was determined to commit suicide, stating: "He was somebody who had an anatomical knowledge. He was a smart guy. I'm sure he could find plenty of time to think."

Timeline

• April 10, 2009 — Trisha Leffler was bound, gagged, and robbed at gunpoint at the Westin Copley Place Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts.
• April 14, 2009 — Julissa Brisman was found dead at the Copley Marriott in Boston.
• April 15, 2009 — The crimes were described as occurring in close time.
• April 16, 2009 — Corinne Stout was the victim of attempted robbery at a Holiday Inn Express in Warwick, Rhode Island.
• April 20, 2009 — Police arrested Markoff in Walpole, Massachusetts, after citing evidence including security camera footage, cell phone activity, and email accounts.
• April 21, 2009 — Markoff was arraigned on murder and gun charges; he pleaded not guilty and was represented by Boston attorney John Salsberg.
• May 4, 2009 — A warrant was issued in Warwick, Rhode Island, seeking to charge Markoff with assault, attempted robbery, and weapon possession in the April 16 Holiday Inn Express case.
• August 14, 2009 — Markoff was found to have stashed medication and was taken to a medical facility.
• August 15, 2010 — Markoff was found dead in his cell at Boston's Nashua Street Jail.

Other details

Charged conduct and alleged evidence

Markoff was charged with armed robbery and kidnapping for the events of April 10, and murder in the death of Brisman on April 14.

At the arraignment, the DA stated that physical evidence, including a semi-automatic handgun, wrist restraints, duct tape, and other materials were found in Markoff's apartment when police executed a search warrant.

Identity information and relationships

Markoff was described as being 23 years old at the time of his April 20 arrest.

McAllister was described as being 25 years old at the time of the April 20 arrest.

Markoff and McAllister planned their wedding for August 14, 2009.

McAllister was interviewed in connection with police stopping the couple on Interstate 95 while they headed to Foxwoods.

Suicide attempts and death details

Markoff made several apparent suicide attempts while at the Nashua Street Jail.

In the first incident, jail officials found "shoelace marks" around Markoff's neck on April 23, 2009, three days after his arrest. They placed him under suicide watch in the psychiatric unit of Nashua Street Jail, where he was monitored around the clock.

In a second incident, on the night his fiancee broke up with him, Markoff attempted to slice his wrists with a spoon he sharpened to a point using concrete in his cell. He was taken off suicide watch a few days later.

In a third incident on August 14, 2009, the day his wedding had been scheduled to take place, Markoff was found to have stashed medication and was taken to a medical facility.

On August 15, 2010, Markoff was found dead in his cell. The cause of death was confirmed as suicide by self-inflicted wounds and suffocation.

Prior to taking his life, Markoff reportedly wrote "Megan" and "Pocket" in blood on the wall of his cell. He also placed her photographs around his cell.

Media interview quotations and jail conversation quotations

During police questioning on April 20, 2009, Markoff was telling detectives he had no idea why he was there. When asked about local news and pictures, Markoff said: "Well, what's this about?" and "Like I don't watch local news," and "I'm not from Boston."

Markoff denied having anything to do with the crimes. He said: "I didn't tie up and rob anybody," and "I told you I don't know what you're talking about, so can you get me an attorney?"

Detective Dennis Harris told him: "Sometimes, Philip, when things happen, it’s a pretty ugly situation," and "We don’t mean them to happen, you know. . . . It only makes things worse if you lie about it."

When Harris asked about frustration, Markoff said: "Yeah, because you keep on asking me the same questions."

In the other room, during the interview with McAllister, she asked if she had a reason to be scared. She said: "Is there any reason for me to be like scared to go home with this person?" Robert Merner, then head of homicide, responded: "Do you have any reason to fear him?" McAllister said: "No, not at all," and "You’re worrying me. . . . I mean, are there other people that were at this hotel that could have done this?"

Family and friends reaction

Friends, neighbors, and former teachers expressed shock and disbelief at the charges.

Some of his friends set up a Facebook group entitled "Philip Markoff Is Innocent Until Proven Guilty".

McAllister initially issued statements affirming her belief in his innocence. She described Markoff as "beautiful inside and out" and said he "couldn't hurt a fly".

On April 29, McAllister's attorney Robert Honecker accompanied her to visit Markoff in jail and said the couple's August 14 wedding plans were "dismantled".

McAllister visited Markoff again on June 11, 2009. Honecker said McAllister told Markoff she was going to medical school and that it would be "a long period of time, if ever, before she would see him again".

Prosecutorial decisions and interstate case coordination

A warrant was issued on May 4, 2009, in Warwick, Rhode Island, seeking to charge Markoff with assault, attempted robbery, and weapon possession in the April 16 Holiday Inn Express case.

The Rhode Island Attorney General said prosecution would not go forward until the Boston cases ended.

The arrest and arraignment sequence included charges for the Brisman slaying and separate charges related to the other incidents.

Published media characterization and dramatization

The investigation and killings were widely referred to as "Craigslist killings".

A made-for TV movie dramatized events surrounding the killings; "The Craigslist Killer" aired January 3, 2011 on the Lifetime Network.