"Craigslist Killer," Philip Markoff, Commits Suicide in Jail

On what would have been the day after his first wedding anniversary, Philip Markoff, a/ka the "Craigslist Killer," committed suicide in the Nashua Street Jail in Boston where he was awaiting trial. At the time of his arrest, the Boston University medical student was engaged to marry Megan McAllister on August 14, 2009.

According to a law enforcement source, Markoff used a razor blade from a disposable razor to slash his wrists and the femoral artery in his leg, then wrapped his leg and head in plastic garbage bags.

Markoff had previously been placed under suicide watch in the psychiatric unit of the jail shortly after his arrest in April of 2009 when authorities found "shoelace" marks on his neck and after he attempted to slice his wrists with a sharpened spoon. In May, he was returned to general population and was reportedly interacting with other inmates.

Markoff was arrested on April 20, 2009, and charged with the death of Julissa Brisman, 25, a New York City masseuse. He was also facing charges in the kidnapping and armed robbery of two other women. All three crimes took place over a four-day period in Boston hotels in April, 2009.

Markoff had pled not guilty, and was awaiting trial in Julissa Brisman's death, who he allegedly shot through the heart on April 14, 2009, in her room at the Marriott Copley Hotel in Boston. Brisman had placed an ad on Craigslist for "erotic massage." Blood stains were found on a handgun seized from Markoff's Quincy, Massachusetts, apartment. Prosecutors allege Markoff bludgeoned Brisman with the handgun before he shot her. Markoff was set to go on trial in March, 2011.

Markoff was also accused of the armed robbery and kidnapping of an exotic dancer at a Boston Westin Hotel on April 10th and a Las Vegas prostitute at a Rhode Island hotel on April 16th. All had posted their services on Craigslist. Markoff was arrested after Rhode Island investigators connected his fingerprints and text messages to the attack on the prostitute.

Markoff, a handsome, blond 24-year-old, was the son of a dentist and an honor student, Born in Sherrill, New York, he graduated from Vernon-Verona-Sherill High School with honors. At the time of his arrest, shocked neighbors and formers teachers described him as a good student, a nice kid, polite, very intelligent and sweet.

Sources: ABCNews; MSNBC.com; Boston.com; Boston.Globe