Gun, bindings found in Markoff's home

BOSTON (WPRI) - The Boston medical student arrested in connection with the so-called Craigslist killing has been ordered held without bail. Philip Markoff, 22, was arraigned in Boston Tuesday afternoon.

Markoff, who remained silent during the court proceeding, is charged with murdering Julissa Brisman, 26, at the Boston Marriott Copley Place hotel April 14.

According to prosecutors, Markoff lured Brisman, who had offered masseuse services on Craigslist, to his hotel room. Prosecutors said the Quincy man tried to rob Brisman, and shot her at close range when she put up a fight.

During the arraignment, prosecutors said investigators found a semi-automatic weapon at Markoff's home, as well as ammunition and material exactly like that used to bind the hands of the victims.

"This was a brutal, vicious crime -- savage, and it shows Philip Markoff is a man who is willing to take advantage of women, to hurt them, to beat them, to rob them," said Suffold County District Attorney Daniel Conley. "He probably thought he was going to get away with it. He thought he was too smart for us."

Investigators said they were able to connect Markoff to the crimes by cell phone activity and internet accounts. Prosecutors said Markoff was on his way to Foxwoods casino when police arrested him on 1-95 in Walpole, Mass. Monday.

Markoff is also charged with robbery and kidnapping in an April 10 assault at the Westin Copley hotel. In addition, police believe there is a "strong connection" between the Boston cases and last week's assault at the Holiday Inn Express in Warwick. In all of the crimes, the victims offered exotic services on Craigslist.

According to Warwick police chief, Col. Stephen McCartney, the investigation in the Warwick assault is continuing and his department is working with several other agencies in order to bring charges forward.

In the meantime, police want anyone who was the victim of robbery after placing an ad on Craigslist to call 401-468-4200 or Boston police at 617-343-4470.