AG's office investigating hotel attack

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) - The Rhode Island Attorney General's Office said it is now working with police to investigate the April 16 attack at a Warwick hotel.

Police said they believe Philip Markoff, the Craigslist killing suspect who is accused of fatally shooting a masseuse at the Marriott Copley Place hotel on April 14, is also connected to an attack on an exotic dancer at the Holiday Inn Express on Jefferson Blvd.

“We’ve consulted at length with the Warwick Police Department, which, through excellent work, has developed promising information but has more work to do to build a sustainable criminal case," Attorney General Patrick Lynch said in a news release. "Although we’re encouraged by the progress being made, this is a complex investigation and is going to take more time."

Authorities said Markoff robbed and assaulted another woman in a different Boston hotel four days before allegedly killing 26-year-old Julissa Brisman at the Marriott. Boston police said Markoff, a Boston University medical student, had items belonging to both victims of the Boston attacks in his apartment.

Police said Markoff met his victims on Craigslist where they advertised exotic services.  Investigators said gambling could have been a possible motive since Markoff regularly visited Foxwoods casino in Connecticut. In fact, they said he was on his way to the casino when they arrested him Monday.

Markoff was arraigned on murder, robbery and assault charges in the Boston attacks Tuesday.  A Boston Municipal Court judge ordered him held without bail.