Investigators believe 'Craigslist killer' may have had gambling problem

Investigators believe that a gambling problem may have motivated a Boston University medical student to troll Craigslist for robbery victims he lured to hotels, preying on prostitutes and a 26-year-old masseuse, who was shot and killed last week, a law enforcement source said today.

When police arrested Philip Markoff, 23, of Quincy yesterday afternoon on Interstate 95 in Walpole, he was driving to Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Connecticut, according to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Speaking to reporters today outside Boston Municipal Court, Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley declined to discuss the motive in detail and did not respond to a question about gambling, saying only that investigators believe robbery was the driving force. Markoff, a second-year medical student, was charged with fatally shooting 26-year-old Julissa Brisman April 14 at the Marriott Copley Hotel and with the armed robbery and kidnapping of Trisha Leffler, 29, a prostitute who was tied up at the Westin Copley in the Back Bay on April 10.

Brisman had advertised her masseuse service on Craigslist; the second victim had also advertised through the online classified website.

Markoff was arraigned today in Boston Municipal Court and ordered held without bail on a charge of murder. Judge Paul Leary also set bail of $250,000 for a charge of armed robbery in the Westin case.

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer J. Hickman told the court that Brisman had fought for her life and was shot three times, with the fatal shot piercing her heart. Brisman also was "bashed" in the head, Hickman said.

"The evidence that we have suggests that Julissa put up a pretty tough struggle and it's in the context of that struggle that she lost her life," Conley said.

Markoff, who appeared in court wearing a blue-and-white-striped shirt, khaki pants, and tasseled loafers, did not speak, but blinked and breathed rapidly as he watched the proceedings.

Conley said police had tracked Markoff through his contacts via e-mail with Brisman, noting that Markoff had opened up a new e-mail account the day before he allegedly killed her. Police put Markoff's home under surveillance, then saw Markoff, who matched the description of the killer, and "the case just begins to build from that," Conley said.

A search of his apartment yielded a firearm, restraints, and duct tape, and other items that authorities were not prepared to disclose, Conley said.

Markoff's attorney said his client had "nothing to hide."

"He has the support of his family. He's bearing up," said John Salsberg. Salsberg also said, "He has no gambling problem that I'm aware of."

This morning Markoff's fiancée, Megan McAllister, (pictured with Markoff) defended him in an e-mail she sent to ABC News, according to Good Morning America's website.

"Unfortunately you were given wrong information as was the public," McAllister wrote in the e-mail. "All I have to say to you is Philip is a beautiful person inside and out and could not hurt a fly! A police officer in Boston (or many) is trying to make big bucks by selling this false story to the TV stations. What else is new?? Philip is an intelligent man who is just trying to live his life so if you could leave us alone we would greatly appreciate it. We expect to marry in August and share a wonderful, meaningful life together."

Markoff was charged in two crimes whose brazen nature and swanky locale shocked Boston residents, drew national attention, and exposed the seamy world of prostitution fostered by the anonymity of the Internet.

A similar attack occurred in a Warwick, R.I., hotel Thursday. Police there said they were confident their case was linked to the Boston cases.

"Because of the critical nature of the ongoing investigation, there will be no comment on specific areas of evidentiary interest," said Warwick Police Chief Stephen M. McCartney. "We remain confident that there is strong connection here with the Boston incidents."

Conley again asked other women who advertise services on Craigslist to step forward if they have been victimized by Markoff.

"Our priority is to hold him accountable for each and every one of these crimes, not to hold you accountable for offering services on Craigslist," he said.

Authorities said they arrested Markoff after a round-the-clock investigation that relied on forensic evidence including fingerprints, electronic evidence, and photographs of the suspect taken by hotel surveillance cameras. Federal and state investigators and police from Massachusetts and Rhode Island were involved, using both high-tech and traditional methods of investigation.

Ellen Berlin, chief spokeswoman for the Boston University School of Medicine, said Markoff has been suspended because of the criminal charges.

He is one of more than 600 medical students on the school's South End campus and was featured grinning broadly in a 2007 Globe photograph as he showed off his white medical coat with other students at the school's annual White Coat Day ceremony.

One medical school colleague recalled meeting Markoff at orientation and studying anatomy with him. She said, "He seemed like a nice guy, and he was a helpful, smart kid."

Markoff is engaged to be married and attended the State University of New York at Albany before entering medical school, according to two law enforcement officials.

According to a wedding website, he was engaged to McAllister, whom he met at SUNY in Albany, when she was a senior and he was a sophomore.

McAllister could not be reached for comment last night. A dark Chevy Trailblazer registered to James McAllister of New Jersey was towed into the police station last night. It was unclear whether the vehicle was connected to Markoff's arrest.

A man who identified himself only as Gary, Markoff's former stepfather, said he was shocked by the arrest.

"He's a great kid," said Gary, who is divorced from Markoff's mother. "I can't believe what's going on. . . . He's a very bright, intelligent, articulate guy. I just keep thinking there must be some mistake."

Friends of Brisman, a troubled young model and aspiring actress who had battled alcohol abuse, welcomed news of the arrest.

"That sounds great," Jeramie Gray, 26, of New York said with a sigh. Asked if he was relieved, he said, "Yes and no. You can't bring back a friend, but it's better that he doesn't do it to anyone else."

Emily Claire, a 30-year-old makeup artist who worked with Brisman on a photography shoot in New York, said she was thrilled. "I'm really excited that he's not out there terrorizing anyone else," she said.