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00:00:01,903 --> 00:00:04,123
[Eva Walz] Modelling
was definitely a career
2
00:00:04,323 --> 00:00:06,813
that Christina was
really passionate about.
3
00:00:07,013 --> 00:00:10,243
For her to be in Playboy,
I mean, that's something
she'd always wanted to do.
4
00:00:12,763 --> 00:00:16,923
Thousands of women would
submit photos every month
to be a Cybergirl.
5
00:00:17,123 --> 00:00:18,573
You have to be gorgeous,
6
00:00:18,773 --> 00:00:22,333
and Hef could have
seen something
really special in Christina.
7
00:00:22,533 --> 00:00:26,043
ButPlayboy models
get a lot of unwanted
attention from men.
8
00:00:26,663 --> 00:00:28,263
It can be a real problem,
9
00:00:28,463 --> 00:00:30,353
especially if you find
yourself around
the wrong person.
10
00:00:31,523 --> 00:00:34,303
There had been prior
activity related to Christina.
11
00:00:34,503 --> 00:00:37,663
And she did allude to the fact
that she thought she may
have been drugged.
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00:00:40,763 --> 00:00:45,953
She heard a man somewhat
forcefully telling Christina
don't call the police.
13
00:00:46,153 --> 00:00:50,073
This person had told him,
perhaps, the most chilling
detail in this whole case.
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00:00:51,103 --> 00:00:53,503
I was in complete shock.
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00:00:53,703 --> 00:00:56,353
Who becomes a victim like
this twice in a couple days?
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00:01:08,313 --> 00:01:10,233
[Gavin Goschinski]
On August 22nd,
I was in the Detective Unit
17
00:01:10,433 --> 00:01:13,683
of Lower Merion Township
Police Station
talking to detectives,
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00:01:13,883 --> 00:01:17,233
when a call came in
about a "check the well-being"
At Christina Kraft's residence
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00:01:17,433 --> 00:01:20,243
at a high-end condo
complex in Ardmore.
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00:01:23,833 --> 00:01:26,193
[Vinny Vella]
Ardmore is right
outside Philadelphia.
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00:01:26,393 --> 00:01:31,003
It's in a part of the suburbs
generally known to be
a very wealthy, affluent area.
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00:01:31,763 --> 00:01:32,993
It's a close-knit community.
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00:01:33,193 --> 00:01:35,093
A lot of people
walk to places,
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00:01:35,293 --> 00:01:38,813
a lot of stores, restaurants,
bars, things like that.
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00:01:39,013 --> 00:01:41,403
I wouldn't say it's
a high crime area.
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00:01:41,603 --> 00:01:44,853
[Goschinski] Very wealthy
and affluent people who
call 911, and call the police
27
00:01:45,053 --> 00:01:47,413
for every... Every matter
of issue in their life.
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00:01:48,663 --> 00:01:50,883
Normally, I wouldn't go
on a "check the well-being,"
29
00:01:51,083 --> 00:01:52,683
but I decided to go
on this call right away
30
00:01:52,883 --> 00:01:54,643
because I was
advised by detectives
31
00:01:54,843 --> 00:01:56,933
that there had been
prior activity related
to Christina.
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00:01:59,903 --> 00:02:02,043
A man, named Alex,
made the call.
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00:02:04,213 --> 00:02:05,923
He was worried
about his girlfriend,
Christina,
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00:02:06,123 --> 00:02:07,783
because she wasn't
answerin' her cell phone,
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00:02:07,983 --> 00:02:10,023
and he couldn't get
into the apartment
36
00:02:10,223 --> 00:02:11,903
because the interior door
was locked.
37
00:02:13,483 --> 00:02:15,553
So, they had to force entry
into the apartment.
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00:02:21,523 --> 00:02:23,003
When we got into her room...
39
00:02:25,353 --> 00:02:26,793
We saw blood splatter.
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00:02:29,043 --> 00:02:31,923
And we saw what clearly
was a body on a bed,
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00:02:32,123 --> 00:02:35,003
with a comforter
perfectly placed over top.
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00:02:36,903 --> 00:02:38,313
We pulled
the comforter back...
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00:02:39,973 --> 00:02:41,663
And it's a badly beaten girl.
44
00:02:44,523 --> 00:02:45,863
There's no question
that it was a homicide.
45
00:02:48,663 --> 00:02:51,373
I vividly remember
walking in thinking
46
00:02:51,573 --> 00:02:57,263
that it was probably one
of the most gruesome
scenes that I had seen.
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00:02:57,463 --> 00:03:01,623
She had a broken nose,
there were fractures
of both eyes.
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00:03:03,283 --> 00:03:04,793
She was strangled to death.
49
00:03:06,793 --> 00:03:10,723
The victim
of this brutal homicide
was Christina Carlin-Kraft.
50
00:03:14,453 --> 00:03:18,883
She was in her mid-30s,
she was aPlayboy model.
51
00:03:19,083 --> 00:03:21,993
The victim was found
strangled in her condo.
52
00:03:22,193 --> 00:03:26,023
Police made
that disturbing discovery
on Sibley Avenue in Ardmore.
53
00:03:26,223 --> 00:03:29,023
They were called there
to make a welfare check.
54
00:03:29,223 --> 00:03:31,993
You don't hear things
like this happening here.
55
00:03:32,193 --> 00:03:37,613
Never really heard of anything
more than parking tickets,
and jaywalkin', you know?
56
00:03:37,813 --> 00:03:42,553
Hearin' a murder
or a strangling like that
is just traumatizing.
57
00:03:45,903 --> 00:03:50,793
Christina Carlin-Kraft
was the PlayboyCybergirl
of the Week on May 4th, 2009.
58
00:03:53,553 --> 00:03:56,043
[Vella] Christina grew up
in South Jersey,
along the shore.
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00:03:58,283 --> 00:04:01,163
From an early age,
she was very interested
in modelling,
60
00:04:01,363 --> 00:04:03,783
and the entertainment
industry.
61
00:04:03,983 --> 00:04:08,683
In 2000, Christina graduated
from high school
in Linwood, New Jersey.
62
00:04:08,883 --> 00:04:10,333
And for a couple
years after that,
63
00:04:10,533 --> 00:04:13,093
she worked as a waitress
in the South Jersey area,
64
00:04:13,293 --> 00:04:16,373
and in the Borgata
in Atlantic City.
65
00:04:16,573 --> 00:04:21,503
In 2003, Christina met Alex,
her longtime boyfriend,
and future fiance
66
00:04:21,703 --> 00:04:24,543
at the Jersey Shore
on Labor Day weekend,
67
00:04:24,743 --> 00:04:27,373
and the two
were incredibly close.
68
00:04:27,573 --> 00:04:29,973
He was very supportive
of her modelling career.
69
00:04:31,483 --> 00:04:34,413
The two were a couple
for 15 years,
until the time of her death.
70
00:04:35,973 --> 00:04:39,443
Christina's father had
said that she was
the light in his life.
71
00:04:39,633 --> 00:04:44,193
That, as his oldest,
uh, child, uh, they had
a very close relationship.
72
00:04:44,393 --> 00:04:46,523
He valued the time
that they spent together.
73
00:04:50,523 --> 00:04:54,763
This is the photo shoot that
I actually met Christina at,
that we did together.
74
00:04:57,553 --> 00:05:00,613
It was thisMaxim
andStuff Magazine
three day event.
75
00:05:00,813 --> 00:05:02,923
This event was a model search.
76
00:05:03,123 --> 00:05:08,233
There were girls flown in
from around the country,
and her and I were chosen
77
00:05:08,433 --> 00:05:11,073
as the Maxim
and Stuff Magazine
Model Search winners.
78
00:05:14,693 --> 00:05:15,923
We got along great.
79
00:05:16,123 --> 00:05:20,163
She's so sweet,
very charismatic,
she was a lot of fun,
80
00:05:20,363 --> 00:05:22,953
obviously, very
stunningly beautiful.
81
00:05:23,153 --> 00:05:24,853
I remember looking
at her, and just thinking,
82
00:05:25,053 --> 00:05:26,853
with her dark hair,
and her light blue eyes,
83
00:05:27,053 --> 00:05:30,403
like, she was just the epitome
of a... Of a model.
84
00:05:30,603 --> 00:05:34,063
They put her photos
in several of the Maxim
and Stuffmagazines,
85
00:05:34,263 --> 00:05:36,023
and having that exposure
86
00:05:36,223 --> 00:05:40,333
really helped both
of our modelling
careers take off.
87
00:05:40,533 --> 00:05:44,093
Modelling was definitely
a career that she was
really passionate about.
88
00:05:44,293 --> 00:05:47,483
For her to be in Playboy,
I mean, that's something
she'd always wanted to do.
89
00:05:51,413 --> 00:05:52,753
[Holly Madison] Christina
had done some modelling
90
00:05:52,953 --> 00:05:55,783
for Maximand some of those
other men's magazines.
91
00:05:55,983 --> 00:05:59,473
And even though those were
great, there was something
about the Playboybrand
92
00:05:59,673 --> 00:06:01,883
that had a little bit more
of a mystique to it,
93
00:06:02,083 --> 00:06:05,333
and seemed
a little more special.
94
00:06:05,533 --> 00:06:09,093
On the Playboy.com website,
you could join what
was called the Cyber Club.
95
00:06:09,293 --> 00:06:13,573
It was a subscription
membership, and each week
they would showcase
96
00:06:13,773 --> 00:06:16,023
a nude photoshoot
of a different woman,
97
00:06:16,223 --> 00:06:18,073
and she would be
the Cybergirl of the Week.
98
00:06:19,413 --> 00:06:22,683
APlayboy Cybergirl
had an online pictorial.
99
00:06:22,883 --> 00:06:25,473
It was very similar
to the Playmate pictorial.
100
00:06:25,673 --> 00:06:30,813
It was a very glamorous,
softly lit, nude pictorial,
101
00:06:31,013 --> 00:06:33,833
and there would be
a little blurb about the girl.
102
00:06:36,413 --> 00:06:38,543
You have to be gorgeous,
but you also have to have
103
00:06:38,743 --> 00:06:43,663
that really, like,
fresh-faced, kind of innocent,
but kind of sexy look.
104
00:06:45,143 --> 00:06:46,573
It was a big deal
to be a Cybergirl,
105
00:06:46,773 --> 00:06:50,753
and it could definitely
be a stepping stone
to even bigger things.
106
00:06:50,953 --> 00:06:54,193
When the Cybergirl shoot
went live in 2009,
107
00:06:54,393 --> 00:06:57,243
I think for Christina,
that was probably
really exhilarating.
108
00:06:58,933 --> 00:07:02,063
Christina would have been
invited out to stay
at the mansion,
109
00:07:02,263 --> 00:07:05,543
and do a Playmate test
for the magazine.
110
00:07:05,743 --> 00:07:07,643
And after she
was selected as Cybergirl,
111
00:07:07,843 --> 00:07:12,143
she would have been invited
to all the parties, and would
have had access to that world.
112
00:07:13,833 --> 00:07:17,063
To meet Hef personally,
that's kind of an extra step,
113
00:07:17,263 --> 00:07:20,543
kind of have
to catch his attention.
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00:07:20,743 --> 00:07:23,553
Hef could have seen something
really special in Christina.
115
00:07:26,073 --> 00:07:30,663
Christina didn't become
a Playmate, and that
was her ultimate goal.
116
00:07:32,213 --> 00:07:35,953
The Playmate selection process
is incredibly competitive.
117
00:07:36,153 --> 00:07:39,063
Thousands of women would send
in their photos every month
118
00:07:39,263 --> 00:07:40,923
to be considered to be
a PlayboyPlaymate,
119
00:07:41,123 --> 00:07:44,753
and from that, only one woman
would be chosen each month.
120
00:07:44,953 --> 00:07:47,043
Ultimately, the final decision
would be Hef's.
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00:07:48,693 --> 00:07:52,783
And there's so many reasons
that Christina may not
have been chosen.
122
00:07:52,983 --> 00:07:56,093
Maybe they already had
too many brunettes
scheduled that year,
123
00:07:56,293 --> 00:07:58,403
or maybe they were
just looking for somebody
124
00:07:58,603 --> 00:08:01,613
with a little bit more
of a different story.
125
00:08:01,813 --> 00:08:08,233
She was 26, and unfortunately,
in the Playboyworld, that
was considered a little old.
126
00:08:08,433 --> 00:08:10,783
If you don't make it
to that next step
of being a Playmate,
127
00:08:10,983 --> 00:08:12,503
that could be
a huge disappointment.
128
00:08:12,703 --> 00:08:14,333
It could have
a big effect on your life,
129
00:08:14,533 --> 00:08:17,193
because it's not just
a goal you didn't reach,
130
00:08:17,393 --> 00:08:20,683
but it's something
that reflects back
on your self-image,
131
00:08:20,883 --> 00:08:24,953
and how supposedly attractive
you are perceived to be.
132
00:08:25,153 --> 00:08:27,383
And it can really be
a hit on your self-esteem.
133
00:08:31,413 --> 00:08:34,023
Christina took modelling jobs
here and there when she could,
134
00:08:34,223 --> 00:08:37,213
and, as part of that,
she moved to New York City
to further her career.
135
00:08:39,243 --> 00:08:42,163
Modelling can be difficult
once you've posed for Playboy.
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00:08:42,363 --> 00:08:46,063
From the outside, it looks
like it might be a stepping
stone, but once you're there,
137
00:08:46,263 --> 00:08:50,193
you realize a lot of brands
don't wanna work with somebody
who's posed nude before.
138
00:08:50,393 --> 00:08:53,503
So, I imagine
she probably encountered
a lot of difficulties
139
00:08:53,703 --> 00:08:55,593
that she maybe
wasn't prepared for.
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00:08:57,903 --> 00:09:00,093
[Walz] When you put
yourself out there like that,
141
00:09:00,293 --> 00:09:02,283
those pictures
are out there forever.
142
00:09:03,523 --> 00:09:06,543
You have to think long term
about your future,
143
00:09:06,743 --> 00:09:09,233
and, you know,
your career down the road.
144
00:09:09,433 --> 00:09:12,543
And not that it's
negative at all,
for some people,
145
00:09:12,743 --> 00:09:14,483
but in some light,
it can look negative.
146
00:09:16,523 --> 00:09:19,713
Christina's modelling career
didn't take off
after her Playboyappearance,
147
00:09:19,913 --> 00:09:21,173
and she was kinda left adrift.
148
00:09:25,143 --> 00:09:27,573
Playboy,as a brand,
really has no, you know,
149
00:09:27,773 --> 00:09:31,043
support for women
once they're not working
for them anymore.
150
00:09:31,973 --> 00:09:33,853
I think they just
look at it as,
151
00:09:34,053 --> 00:09:39,043
well, you know, we can't
babysit all these women
for the rest a their lives.
152
00:09:47,553 --> 00:09:49,923
[Goschinski] Upon realizing
that Ms. Kraft had
been murdered,
153
00:09:50,123 --> 00:09:53,193
we met with Alex,
her fiance, in the hallway.
154
00:09:53,393 --> 00:09:56,003
I told him, "I'm very sorry,
but Christina's dead."
155
00:09:58,793 --> 00:10:00,483
He was clearly
stricken with grief.
156
00:10:03,523 --> 00:10:04,713
[Michael Vice] When
something like this happens,
157
00:10:04,913 --> 00:10:07,193
it's sort of, like,
what we say
is an "All hands on deck."
158
00:10:07,393 --> 00:10:09,593
I need everybody
and anybody that can come in.
159
00:10:11,523 --> 00:10:14,403
Once we were finished
with the scene,
which took hours,
160
00:10:14,603 --> 00:10:17,853
the next step is we need
to talk to anybody.
161
00:10:18,053 --> 00:10:21,543
I had my investigators
knocking on every
resident's door.
162
00:10:21,743 --> 00:10:25,123
Did they hear anything?
Did they see anything?
163
00:10:25,323 --> 00:10:27,503
[Jim Melwert] Murder
definitely stands out
when it happens in Ardmore,
164
00:10:27,703 --> 00:10:32,443
because, uh, they just
don't happen that often,
and it's unexpected.
165
00:10:32,633 --> 00:10:35,683
[Vella] I think folks
who lived near Christina
were worried
166
00:10:35,883 --> 00:10:39,623
that, you know, maybe
a killer was going around
in the community.
167
00:10:41,793 --> 00:10:43,093
When something
like this happens,
168
00:10:43,293 --> 00:10:46,283
I think a lot of people
automatically assume
the worst and panic.
169
00:10:49,243 --> 00:10:53,263
After we received information
that Christina was the victim
of this murder,
170
00:10:53,463 --> 00:10:56,543
we tried to find out
as much as we could
about her and her past.
171
00:10:56,743 --> 00:10:59,753
Uh, just... Just given
the... The shocking nature
of the crime,
172
00:10:59,953 --> 00:11:03,643
Christina had
a very clear online footprint.
173
00:11:03,843 --> 00:11:07,953
And front and center
in a lot of the web traffic
about Christina
174
00:11:08,153 --> 00:11:10,263
was an article
from the New York Post
175
00:11:10,463 --> 00:11:15,683
about an incident that she had
had in 2016, in Manhattan.
176
00:11:15,883 --> 00:11:18,613
There was
some sort of dispute
over paying her tab,
177
00:11:18,813 --> 00:11:21,663
and she got into a physical
fight with a bar manager.
178
00:11:23,043 --> 00:11:26,473
She was charged
with misdemeanor assault,
but ultimately,
179
00:11:26,673 --> 00:11:28,763
the prosecutors
in New York dropped
the charges against her.
180
00:11:32,903 --> 00:11:38,833
In 2017, she had moved
to Ardmore at the suggestion
of Alex, her fiance.
181
00:11:40,243 --> 00:11:43,813
He felt it would be
a safer environment
for her in Ardmore,
182
00:11:44,013 --> 00:11:46,613
not to mention,
closer to his parents.
183
00:11:46,813 --> 00:11:51,483
He said he wanted to protect
her, and he just felt like she
was more safe there,
184
00:11:52,723 --> 00:11:54,413
which is kind of ironic.
185
00:11:56,693 --> 00:12:02,023
He traveled back and forth
for work from Ardmore
to New York City.
186
00:12:02,223 --> 00:12:05,853
[Vice] It seemed
like Alex lived
in New York for his job.
187
00:12:06,053 --> 00:12:08,023
He worked during the week,
and spent weekends here.
188
00:12:08,223 --> 00:12:12,853
I believe he had a really
good job, and it kept
him away a good bit.
189
00:12:13,053 --> 00:12:16,753
I think life was a little bit
difficult for Christina,
though she recently moved.
190
00:12:16,953 --> 00:12:20,023
She came from New York City,
and I think she missed Alex,
191
00:12:20,223 --> 00:12:24,543
and her friends,
and the excitement
of New York City.
192
00:12:24,743 --> 00:12:30,003
So, it was quite a change
to move to a sleepy,
Philadelphia suburb.
193
00:12:33,973 --> 00:12:39,553
When I first heard
about Christina's murder,
it was just an absolute shock,
194
00:12:42,453 --> 00:12:48,663
and I just immediately,
like, burst out...
Bursted into tears.
195
00:12:51,173 --> 00:12:53,193
How did this happen?
196
00:12:53,393 --> 00:12:59,763
You know, she was someone
that I wouldn't expect to be
in this type of situation.
197
00:13:01,523 --> 00:13:05,613
[Holly Madison] Playboy models
get a lot of unwanted
attention from men.
198
00:13:05,813 --> 00:13:09,123
It can be a real problem,
especially if you find
yourself around
199
00:13:09,323 --> 00:13:11,903
the wrong person who just
has all the wrong ideas.
200
00:13:23,933 --> 00:13:25,953
Police in the Main Line
are searching for a killer
201
00:13:26,153 --> 00:13:28,813
after a model
is found dead in her condo.
202
00:13:29,013 --> 00:13:31,023
[Vella] Christina's death
drew a lotta media attention,
203
00:13:31,223 --> 00:13:34,853
both from local news outlets
in the Philadelphia region,
and beyond.
204
00:13:35,053 --> 00:13:38,543
There were tabloid reporters
from Europe who wrote
about this.
205
00:13:38,743 --> 00:13:42,613
There were tabloid reporters
from New York City who came
down to write about it.
206
00:13:42,813 --> 00:13:45,263
[Goschinski] I think
Christina Kraft's status
as aPlayboy model,
207
00:13:45,463 --> 00:13:47,503
the fact that you've got
a beautiful woman,
208
00:13:47,703 --> 00:13:49,333
certainly drove press
interest in the story.
209
00:13:49,533 --> 00:13:51,993
[reporter] A model
was found strangled.
210
00:13:52,193 --> 00:13:54,753
When the victim has been
a part of Playboyin any way,
211
00:13:54,953 --> 00:13:57,143
that's the one thing that gets
pulled into the headlines.
212
00:13:58,073 --> 00:14:00,213
It automatically draws eyes.
213
00:14:01,833 --> 00:14:03,503
I think the Playboybrand,
214
00:14:03,703 --> 00:14:08,503
when you hear the name
you think sex,
you think beautiful women.
215
00:14:08,703 --> 00:14:15,023
It's a mainstream brand,
but it's also on the fringes,
it's a little salacious.
216
00:14:15,223 --> 00:14:20,383
Christina was a whole person,
she wasn't just Playboymodel,
that was one job she did.
217
00:14:21,283 --> 00:14:22,383
She was more than that.
218
00:14:28,973 --> 00:14:30,333
[Goschinski] Based
on my experience,
219
00:14:30,533 --> 00:14:34,163
I knew that I had
to treat Alex as a person
of interest in the matter.
220
00:14:34,363 --> 00:14:36,573
He called us to the place,
he has a long term
relationship with her,
221
00:14:36,773 --> 00:14:40,413
he's very concerned about her,
and now I've found her beaten
in the apartment.
222
00:14:43,483 --> 00:14:44,953
So, I asked him, I said,
223
00:14:45,153 --> 00:14:46,813
"Would you be willing
to go back to the police
station with our detectives?"
224
00:14:47,013 --> 00:14:47,953
"It's really important
you cooperate,
225
00:14:48,153 --> 00:14:49,923
and help our detectives
in every way with this."
226
00:14:50,123 --> 00:14:53,833
And he was completely
forthcoming, and, uh,
agreed to that immediately.
227
00:14:55,553 --> 00:14:59,373
[Vice] We get a statement
from Alex, now we have
to start getting his story.
228
00:14:59,573 --> 00:15:03,813
Any and all information
that we can gather, 'cause
you can't rule anything out.
229
00:15:04,013 --> 00:15:06,283
You have to go down
every road you possibly can.
230
00:15:07,903 --> 00:15:13,713
Alex says on August 21st,
he had to return
to New York City for his job.
231
00:15:13,913 --> 00:15:16,303
He stayed there,
and he called Christina
232
00:15:16,503 --> 00:15:20,753
early morning on the 22nd,
around 2:30 A.M.
to say goodnight.
233
00:15:20,953 --> 00:15:25,043
Christina didn't
answer though, and Alex
called several more times,
234
00:15:25,973 --> 00:15:28,783
but there was
no answer from Christina.
235
00:15:28,983 --> 00:15:32,093
Just after 5 A.M.
Alex was growing concerned.
236
00:15:32,293 --> 00:15:36,373
And so, he checked
the security camera they had
at the Philadelphia residence,
237
00:15:36,573 --> 00:15:39,543
and he noticed
some unusual activity.
238
00:15:39,743 --> 00:15:42,973
And this is when Alex
decided that he should
return to Philadelphia.
239
00:15:44,663 --> 00:15:46,923
Alibis would be
checked very quickly,
240
00:15:47,123 --> 00:15:49,233
but I think the level
of cooperation,
241
00:15:49,433 --> 00:15:52,403
and the sincerity
of cooperation,
goes a long way.
242
00:15:52,603 --> 00:15:54,713
Detectives are very good
at signs of deception,
243
00:15:54,913 --> 00:15:56,193
and people that
are playin' a game.
244
00:15:56,393 --> 00:15:58,473
He was very cooperative.
245
00:15:58,673 --> 00:16:01,063
[Vice] The distance,
where his location was,
246
00:16:01,263 --> 00:16:03,993
that could he have physically
been responsible for this?
247
00:16:04,193 --> 00:16:06,263
I don't think
we ever really got there.
248
00:16:06,463 --> 00:16:08,413
Alex was never really
thought to be a suspect.
249
00:16:11,143 --> 00:16:14,163
As investigators try
to find out more
about Christina,
250
00:16:14,363 --> 00:16:17,643
and tracked her movements
in the time before her death.
251
00:16:17,843 --> 00:16:20,883
They pretty early on,
discovered that she had
filed a police report
252
00:16:21,083 --> 00:16:25,073
just a few days earlier,
complaining that she had
been robbed in her apartment.
253
00:16:26,453 --> 00:16:30,953
The murder happens
on August 22nd of 2018,
254
00:16:31,153 --> 00:16:36,163
and on August 18th of 2018,
255
00:16:36,363 --> 00:16:40,623
she woke up
and reported a burglary
to our police department.
256
00:16:43,903 --> 00:16:46,813
[Vella] She had called
Lower Merion Police,
and told them
257
00:16:47,013 --> 00:16:51,473
that she had been robbed
of some personal items
that were pretty valuable,
258
00:16:51,673 --> 00:16:55,193
some designer handbags,
and some jewelry, I believe
her credit card, as well.
259
00:16:55,393 --> 00:16:58,713
She told the police
that she remembered going
260
00:16:58,913 --> 00:17:02,863
to the Center City
Philadelphia, and drinking
at a hotel in Center City.
261
00:17:05,693 --> 00:17:09,093
When we got there
and spoke to Christina
about the burglary,
262
00:17:09,293 --> 00:17:12,073
she said that
she woke up in a daze,
263
00:17:13,973 --> 00:17:17,713
that she doesn't remember
anything, that she just
wasn't feeling right,
264
00:17:17,913 --> 00:17:20,973
and she did allude to the fact
that she thought she may
have been drugged.
265
00:17:24,243 --> 00:17:27,193
[Madison] There's a lot
of people who want
to take advantage.
266
00:17:27,393 --> 00:17:31,923
I've heard a lotta stories
about people, you know,
having their drinks drugged,
267
00:17:32,123 --> 00:17:34,923
and not being able
to remember, you know,
268
00:17:35,123 --> 00:17:36,503
what happened
after a night out.
269
00:17:36,703 --> 00:17:39,103
And it's terrifying,
and it can happen to anyone.
270
00:17:41,073 --> 00:17:43,263
[Walz] Christina
had just moved
to this new city,
271
00:17:43,463 --> 00:17:46,853
she had previously lived
in New York City, where
all of her friends were.
272
00:17:47,053 --> 00:17:50,783
So, here she is
in this new city probably
not knowing very many people.
273
00:17:50,983 --> 00:17:53,763
You know, someone took
advantage of her vulnerability
at that moment.
274
00:17:55,413 --> 00:18:00,543
We got a statement from her,
and I remember that she was
very, very upset.
275
00:18:00,743 --> 00:18:03,443
This seemed
to really impact her.
276
00:18:03,633 --> 00:18:08,753
She felt violated,
she, like, made references
of not feeling safe.
277
00:18:08,953 --> 00:18:10,863
We told her we were gonna
do everything we can.
278
00:18:14,243 --> 00:18:15,923
And my detectives
were able to get ahold
279
00:18:16,123 --> 00:18:20,783
of the surveillance video
from the condo complex.
280
00:18:20,983 --> 00:18:25,333
Between Christina's statement
to them, and the surveillance
footage from the building,
281
00:18:25,533 --> 00:18:28,853
investigators were able
to deduce that, at some point,
282
00:18:29,053 --> 00:18:33,613
a gentlemen gave Christina
a ride back to her building
from Philadelphia.
283
00:18:33,813 --> 00:18:35,333
[Melwert] And he ends up
fitting her description
284
00:18:35,533 --> 00:18:38,173
of the rideshare driver
that she had used that night.
285
00:18:39,723 --> 00:18:41,573
I think it was
three something
in the morning,
286
00:18:41,773 --> 00:18:46,063
when Christina and the driver
arrived back at her apartment,
287
00:18:46,263 --> 00:18:49,853
and she was passed out
in the back seat of the car.
288
00:18:50,053 --> 00:18:54,143
So, he took the liberty
to take her keys,
go into her condo.
289
00:18:59,213 --> 00:19:00,903
It was just before four
in the morning...
290
00:19:02,793 --> 00:19:06,123
and he spent over an hour
and a half inside,
291
00:19:06,323 --> 00:19:09,413
presumably, burglarizing
Christina Kraft's condo.
292
00:19:12,593 --> 00:19:16,373
He came down holding
a box full of Christina's
personal belongings
293
00:19:16,573 --> 00:19:17,933
that she had
later reported stolen.
294
00:19:19,863 --> 00:19:23,063
[Melwert] And then he's seen
in the video coming back
in with Christina Kraft.
295
00:19:23,263 --> 00:19:26,443
Helping her into the lobby,
and he kind of puts
her down on the ground,
296
00:19:26,633 --> 00:19:29,413
he steps out again,
but then he comes back in,
helps her into the elevator.
297
00:19:31,173 --> 00:19:33,063
[Vice] We ended up
putting out some pictures,
298
00:19:33,263 --> 00:19:37,503
because there were video,
and pictures of the suspect
in the lobby.
299
00:19:37,703 --> 00:19:40,403
The man in the video
seen going
into Christina's apartment
300
00:19:40,603 --> 00:19:45,193
was an African American,
um, just wearing, sort of,
non-descript clothing.
301
00:19:45,393 --> 00:19:47,853
Police are looking for a man
accused of stealing items
302
00:19:48,053 --> 00:19:50,793
from the victim's apartment,
just days before her death.
303
00:19:53,353 --> 00:19:56,853
[Vice] Christina did come over
to the police station
to try to talk to us again.
304
00:19:57,053 --> 00:20:00,373
So, clearly, she was
just still really
upset, worried.
305
00:20:00,573 --> 00:20:02,233
Kinda lookin' for guidance,
"What's gonna happen?
306
00:20:02,433 --> 00:20:04,483
Will I ever get my stuff?
Am I safe?"
307
00:20:10,143 --> 00:20:11,993
[Melwert] Investigators look
into her credit cards,
308
00:20:12,193 --> 00:20:16,193
and they find that some
of her credit cards were used
at a nearby convenience store.
309
00:20:16,393 --> 00:20:20,063
They get images,
and... And videos
from those convenience stores,
310
00:20:20,263 --> 00:20:21,573
and they're able
to match them up
311
00:20:21,773 --> 00:20:24,373
with the surveillance video
from the apartment.
312
00:20:24,573 --> 00:20:26,713
The investigators
were able to recognize
the person who used it
313
00:20:26,913 --> 00:20:29,073
as Andre Melton
from prior arrests of his.
314
00:20:32,173 --> 00:20:34,713
Andre Melton was considered
dangerous by detectives.
315
00:20:34,913 --> 00:20:37,993
Uh, they were concerned
about him returnin'
to the apartment.
316
00:20:38,193 --> 00:20:40,313
[Goschinski] And they were,
uh, there were some urgency
to apprehending him.
317
00:20:42,283 --> 00:20:43,643
[Vice] There was a decision
318
00:20:43,843 --> 00:20:47,023
that we were gonna attempt
to get a search warrant signed
319
00:20:47,223 --> 00:20:48,333
for who we believed to be
320
00:20:48,533 --> 00:20:50,833
the suspect's residence
in Philadelphia.
321
00:20:52,313 --> 00:20:53,953
On the morning of August 22nd,
322
00:20:54,153 --> 00:20:56,813
the day that
Christina's body is found,
323
00:20:57,013 --> 00:20:59,143
they get a warrant
for Andre Melton's arrest.
324
00:21:00,073 --> 00:21:03,063
They go to his
last known address,
325
00:21:03,263 --> 00:21:05,373
and they find the things that
were missing from her home,
326
00:21:05,573 --> 00:21:06,813
again, expensive stuff,
327
00:21:07,013 --> 00:21:08,863
you know, jewelry,
bags, things like that,
328
00:21:09,663 --> 00:21:10,903
but they can't find him.
329
00:21:12,483 --> 00:21:14,093
He's on the run.
330
00:21:14,293 --> 00:21:15,543
[Goschinski] The detectives
are alarmed about
331
00:21:15,743 --> 00:21:16,613
what they've discovered
332
00:21:16,813 --> 00:21:18,003
'cause he had
a violent history.
333
00:21:19,213 --> 00:21:20,193
[Vice] We knew he knew
334
00:21:20,393 --> 00:21:21,853
the layout
of Christina's apartment,
335
00:21:22,053 --> 00:21:23,303
so it was logical
336
00:21:23,503 --> 00:21:26,173
to think that Andre Melton
could be the killer.
337
00:21:27,173 --> 00:21:29,853
He was looked at
as a murder suspect
338
00:21:30,053 --> 00:21:31,193
'cause what are the chances.
339
00:21:31,393 --> 00:21:34,043
Who becomes a victim like this
twice in, in a couple of days?
340
00:21:36,973 --> 00:21:38,923
Police had no clue
where Andre Melton
341
00:21:39,123 --> 00:21:40,553
who was wanted for robbery is.
342
00:21:42,243 --> 00:21:43,783
[Goschinski] There was
a community concern
343
00:21:43,983 --> 00:21:46,453
in general about.
"Are we still in danger?"
344
00:21:54,933 --> 00:21:56,233
[Vella] Andre Melton
lead police
345
00:21:56,433 --> 00:21:58,613
on a little bit
of a cat and mouse
346
00:21:58,813 --> 00:22:00,233
as they tried to find him.
347
00:22:00,433 --> 00:22:03,303
[female reporter]
Police are dealing with
two investigations here.
348
00:22:03,503 --> 00:22:06,613
One, the burglary
involving the model,
the second, her death.
349
00:22:06,813 --> 00:22:08,093
[Vice] There was
so much going on.
350
00:22:08,293 --> 00:22:10,263
We were looking at
who committed the homicide,
351
00:22:10,463 --> 00:22:12,143
where are we gonna
find Andre Melton.
352
00:22:13,413 --> 00:22:16,263
The two seemed like
they may have been connected.
353
00:22:16,463 --> 00:22:18,303
They started thinking,
"Well, okay, they came back
354
00:22:18,503 --> 00:22:19,523
or, or something happened."
355
00:22:26,213 --> 00:22:27,883
[Vice] I remember
being up for days.
356
00:22:28,083 --> 00:22:31,093
The detectives,
none of us had slept.
357
00:22:31,293 --> 00:22:34,023
We had been up because we knew
that we had to resolve this,
358
00:22:34,223 --> 00:22:36,063
and then things
started to develop.
359
00:22:36,263 --> 00:22:38,683
We started to be
able to get some
video surveillance
360
00:22:38,883 --> 00:22:40,863
from the condo
building itself.
361
00:22:42,663 --> 00:22:43,953
On the night
of Christina's murder,
362
00:22:44,153 --> 00:22:46,543
there's clear footage
of her exiting her building
363
00:22:46,743 --> 00:22:47,833
and heading towards
to Philadelphia.
364
00:22:48,523 --> 00:22:49,883
Hours later,
365
00:22:50,083 --> 00:22:51,613
there is additional footage
366
00:22:51,813 --> 00:22:53,813
of her returning
to her building
367
00:22:54,013 --> 00:22:56,863
being escorted by
an unidentified man.
368
00:22:58,073 --> 00:23:00,613
The come in,
it's shortly after
three in the morning,
369
00:23:00,813 --> 00:23:02,303
and they walk in together,
370
00:23:02,503 --> 00:23:05,073
and they get in the elevator,
and they go up.
371
00:23:06,143 --> 00:23:07,503
Any time her door opens
372
00:23:07,703 --> 00:23:10,123
the security system alerts
373
00:23:10,323 --> 00:23:11,853
and records the time.
374
00:23:12,053 --> 00:23:14,473
- [device chimes]
- [Vice] So at, like,
3.08, door opens,
375
00:23:14,673 --> 00:23:16,543
so they both go inside,
376
00:23:16,743 --> 00:23:19,023
and then there is no other
door movements
377
00:23:19,223 --> 00:23:22,813
until almost 10 minutes
after five in the morning.
378
00:23:23,013 --> 00:23:25,303
There's about
a two hour window.
379
00:23:25,503 --> 00:23:27,123
[Vella] That man
who entered the building
380
00:23:27,323 --> 00:23:29,093
is not seen leaving
the building,
381
00:23:29,293 --> 00:23:30,683
which lead investigators
to believe
382
00:23:30,883 --> 00:23:32,973
that he somehow
exited another way.
383
00:23:34,413 --> 00:23:35,543
[Melwert]
She's on the second floor,
384
00:23:35,743 --> 00:23:37,713
she has a balcony,
she has a slider
to the balcony,
385
00:23:37,913 --> 00:23:40,793
and around 5.00 a.m.
the, this slider opens.
386
00:23:42,143 --> 00:23:43,233
[device chimes]
387
00:23:43,433 --> 00:23:44,853
[Melwert] The rear balcony
isn't that high of the ground,
388
00:23:45,053 --> 00:23:46,813
you could easily,
you know, go out and,
389
00:23:47,013 --> 00:23:49,623
and jump off and, you know,
get away that way.
390
00:23:50,973 --> 00:23:52,373
[Vice] We know they didn't
leave the front door
391
00:23:52,573 --> 00:23:54,903
because we never got a chime,
we never got a time stamp.
392
00:23:56,143 --> 00:23:58,263
The balcony door chimed once,
393
00:23:58,463 --> 00:24:00,453
then presumably
someone went out.
394
00:24:01,863 --> 00:24:04,833
We had detective
on the ground searching,
looking for evidence.
395
00:24:05,833 --> 00:24:07,883
And then, some of our
detectives found
396
00:24:08,083 --> 00:24:11,353
what looked like it might be
a foot stomp in the ground,
397
00:24:12,453 --> 00:24:14,263
which would be easily
explain that
398
00:24:14,463 --> 00:24:16,453
somebody jumping off
of the balcony.
399
00:24:20,143 --> 00:24:21,403
We knew that
Andre Melton
400
00:24:21,603 --> 00:24:24,023
knew the intricacies
of her condo.
401
00:24:24,223 --> 00:24:25,573
He had a criminal history,
402
00:24:25,773 --> 00:24:28,713
but I wouldn't say
there was anything that
would lead us to say,
403
00:24:28,913 --> 00:24:31,933
"It looks like this guy
would be a prime candidate
to commit a murder"
404
00:24:33,383 --> 00:24:36,813
So from August 22nd
through the 25th,
405
00:24:37,013 --> 00:24:39,783
all of our detectives
were retracing
406
00:24:39,983 --> 00:24:42,763
every step of Christina's
that we could.
407
00:24:48,483 --> 00:24:49,993
They went to Center City
408
00:24:50,193 --> 00:24:52,543
and pulled surveillance
camera images
409
00:24:52,743 --> 00:24:55,173
to see if they could
figure out where she was.
410
00:24:56,143 --> 00:24:57,333
And from those images
411
00:24:57,533 --> 00:24:58,953
they were able
to chart her movements
412
00:24:59,153 --> 00:25:02,643
from her destination
when she first came
to Philadelphia
413
00:25:02,843 --> 00:25:04,333
all throughout Center City
414
00:25:04,533 --> 00:25:06,233
as she walked down
different streets
415
00:25:06,433 --> 00:25:08,753
and around different
bars and nightclubs.
416
00:25:08,953 --> 00:25:11,613
At this point, it was a matter
of gaining all this footage
417
00:25:11,813 --> 00:25:14,263
and then putting it together
to come up with a timeline.
418
00:25:14,463 --> 00:25:15,483
It was very tedious.
419
00:25:18,523 --> 00:25:19,923
When we looked at the video,
420
00:25:20,123 --> 00:25:23,063
I could see Christina
with the murder suspect
421
00:25:23,263 --> 00:25:25,063
walking with their arms
around one another,
422
00:25:25,263 --> 00:25:27,063
I remember at Broad and 13th
423
00:25:27,263 --> 00:25:29,063
was where they got
into ride share,
424
00:25:29,263 --> 00:25:31,263
and that's when the car
took them back
425
00:25:31,463 --> 00:25:33,383
to Christina's, to her condo.
426
00:25:35,143 --> 00:25:37,763
[Vella] That unidentified man
was not Andre Melton.
427
00:25:39,283 --> 00:25:42,043
So police now had
another suspect that
they had to locate.
428
00:25:45,043 --> 00:25:46,783
Police will put out
a, an alert
429
00:25:46,983 --> 00:25:48,303
basically saying that
they were looking
430
00:25:48,503 --> 00:25:50,503
for information
about this murder,
431
00:25:50,703 --> 00:25:52,993
and they were asking press
to distribute that information
432
00:25:53,193 --> 00:25:55,143
and, and try to drum up
tips for them.
433
00:25:56,523 --> 00:25:59,863
If anyone has any information,
please contact police.
434
00:26:01,593 --> 00:26:04,063
They'll put out two sets
of surveillance image,
435
00:26:04,263 --> 00:26:08,233
one from the night that
Andre Melton came back
to her apartment,
436
00:26:08,433 --> 00:26:10,163
and the other depicting
437
00:26:10,363 --> 00:26:13,143
the man she was seen
entering her apartment with
on the night she died.
438
00:26:14,243 --> 00:26:16,163
Investigators didn't know
439
00:26:16,363 --> 00:26:17,883
whether they were related
at the time,
440
00:26:18,083 --> 00:26:20,023
so they put both out
to the public and said,
441
00:26:20,223 --> 00:26:22,993
"We're looking for information
on both of these men,
442
00:26:23,193 --> 00:26:24,413
please contact us."
443
00:26:28,103 --> 00:26:30,723
[Vice] On August 23rd,
I get a phone call.
444
00:26:32,693 --> 00:26:36,023
This person identifies himself
as Andre Melton.
445
00:26:36,223 --> 00:26:40,123
I was a little surprised that
I'm talking to the guy that
we were looking for.
446
00:26:40,323 --> 00:26:42,123
And he wanted
to make it clear,
447
00:26:42,323 --> 00:26:44,543
he said, "I stole her stuff,
448
00:26:44,743 --> 00:26:46,313
but I'm not going
down for murder."
449
00:26:54,313 --> 00:26:55,263
[reporter 1] Hey, Mr. Hef,
right here, please.
450
00:26:55,463 --> 00:26:56,473
[reporter 2] Hold that
right there, right there.
451
00:26:56,673 --> 00:26:58,163
When Playboy
was training Playmates
452
00:26:58,363 --> 00:26:59,993
on how to handle the media,
453
00:27:00,193 --> 00:27:03,683
that was great,
but I think there
could've also been
454
00:27:03,883 --> 00:27:07,263
some additional training
in how to keep yourself safe,
455
00:27:07,463 --> 00:27:09,993
how to handle, maybe,
judgement you might face,
456
00:27:10,193 --> 00:27:11,833
you know, going forward
in life.
457
00:27:13,383 --> 00:27:15,713
There should've been a seminar
for Playboymodels
458
00:27:15,913 --> 00:27:17,623
on how to handle
this kinda thing.
459
00:27:25,173 --> 00:27:27,853
Detective Vice
was not convinced at all
460
00:27:28,053 --> 00:27:30,233
by his conversation
with Melton.
461
00:27:30,433 --> 00:27:32,263
He thought, "Okay, even if
462
00:27:32,463 --> 00:27:35,023
he is not the person
who committed the murder,
463
00:27:35,223 --> 00:27:37,233
he was likely involved
in some ways."
464
00:27:37,433 --> 00:27:40,853
So this interview
did very little
465
00:27:41,053 --> 00:27:43,313
to convince him
of Melton's innocence.
466
00:27:45,723 --> 00:27:47,923
[Vella] Early on,
there was speculation
467
00:27:48,123 --> 00:27:50,793
that these two gentlemen
were connected in some way,
468
00:27:51,623 --> 00:27:52,643
but ultimately,
469
00:27:52,843 --> 00:27:56,233
as investigators learned
more about each individual,
470
00:27:56,433 --> 00:27:57,833
they found that
that was not the case.
471
00:28:00,283 --> 00:28:03,333
Investigators continued
to solicit tips,
472
00:28:03,533 --> 00:28:05,613
one of which came
from a gentleman
473
00:28:05,813 --> 00:28:07,553
who was a driver.
474
00:28:09,453 --> 00:28:11,473
Who said that he recognized
475
00:28:11,673 --> 00:28:14,573
the man and the woman
in the photo
476
00:28:14,773 --> 00:28:17,503
as somebody that he had
actually given a ride to
477
00:28:17,703 --> 00:28:20,593
from Philadelphia to Ardmore
on the night of the murder.
478
00:28:25,793 --> 00:28:28,123
[Vice] My detectives
interviewed the driver
479
00:28:28,323 --> 00:28:31,213
that had picked up Christina
and the suspect that night.
480
00:28:32,863 --> 00:28:34,213
There was nothing
that seemed like
481
00:28:34,833 --> 00:28:36,813
anything was forced.
482
00:28:37,013 --> 00:28:38,853
He said that Christina
had approached him,
483
00:28:39,053 --> 00:28:42,123
actually flagged him down
instead of using the app.
484
00:28:42,323 --> 00:28:43,503
And said that
she needed a ride
485
00:28:43,703 --> 00:28:45,933
because there were some people
on the street harassing her.
486
00:28:48,723 --> 00:28:51,993
So after some convincing,
The driver agreed.
487
00:28:52,193 --> 00:28:54,093
Took Christina
and this other man
488
00:28:54,293 --> 00:28:56,073
to their destination
in Ardmore.
489
00:28:56,833 --> 00:28:58,923
He said during the ride
490
00:28:59,123 --> 00:29:00,753
they appeared
to be very friendly,
491
00:29:00,953 --> 00:29:02,243
very affectionate
with each other.
492
00:29:06,313 --> 00:29:08,373
When they arrived in Ardmore
493
00:29:08,573 --> 00:29:09,643
it became apparent that
494
00:29:09,843 --> 00:29:11,753
Christina did not have
any money
495
00:29:11,953 --> 00:29:14,713
to give him despite
promising him earlier,
496
00:29:14,913 --> 00:29:16,993
"I will pay you in cash
for the ride."
497
00:29:17,193 --> 00:29:19,063
She offered him
an American Express
credit card,
498
00:29:19,263 --> 00:29:20,593
which he had no way of taking.
499
00:29:21,763 --> 00:29:24,233
The man that
Christina was with
500
00:29:24,433 --> 00:29:26,923
offer him a $100 cash
if you he were to stay
501
00:29:27,123 --> 00:29:30,643
parked outside his building
for 10 to 15 minutes
502
00:29:30,843 --> 00:29:31,833
while they went inside.
503
00:29:33,283 --> 00:29:35,853
He exchanged phone numbers
with this person,
504
00:29:36,053 --> 00:29:38,793
and the person promised
to call him when he was ready.
505
00:29:41,173 --> 00:29:42,573
Twenty minutes went by,
506
00:29:42,773 --> 00:29:45,023
he didn't hear anything
from the passenger,
507
00:29:45,223 --> 00:29:48,453
so he simply decided
to leave and return
toward Philadelphia.
508
00:29:55,413 --> 00:29:57,303
[Sacks] Around 4.00 a.m.,
509
00:29:57,503 --> 00:30:00,953
Christina somehow,
in a very charged situation,
510
00:30:01,153 --> 00:30:03,923
was able to contact
her cousin.
511
00:30:04,123 --> 00:30:07,573
And although Christina didn't
leave a message or speak,
512
00:30:07,773 --> 00:30:09,713
her cousin could hear
the background,
513
00:30:09,913 --> 00:30:11,923
and what she heard was a man
514
00:30:12,123 --> 00:30:15,003
forcefully telling Christina,
"Don't call the police."
515
00:30:19,903 --> 00:30:21,123
On August 26th,
516
00:30:21,323 --> 00:30:23,543
police got a call from a man
517
00:30:23,743 --> 00:30:25,543
who said that
he knew the identity
518
00:30:25,743 --> 00:30:27,503
of the person
seen with Christina
519
00:30:27,703 --> 00:30:28,573
in the surveillance footage
520
00:30:28,773 --> 00:30:30,063
that was released
in the media.
521
00:30:30,263 --> 00:30:31,883
This was somebody he had been
522
00:30:32,083 --> 00:30:34,793
roommates with
in a psychiatric facility
in Philadelphia.
523
00:30:37,593 --> 00:30:39,163
[Melwert] So they check out
that tip,
524
00:30:39,363 --> 00:30:40,683
and they were able
to trace him back
525
00:30:40,883 --> 00:30:44,143
to an incident in Love Park
in Center City, Philadelphia.
526
00:30:45,313 --> 00:30:47,403
At one point
he followed a woman
527
00:30:47,603 --> 00:30:49,833
into the family court
building...
528
00:30:50,973 --> 00:30:52,373
...and started harassing her.
529
00:30:52,573 --> 00:30:54,643
He began causing
a scene in the building,
530
00:30:54,843 --> 00:30:56,793
kicking windows,
screaming, and yelling.
531
00:30:58,173 --> 00:31:00,023
[Melwert] So he was taken
into custody,
532
00:31:00,223 --> 00:31:03,353
and he was put
on a 72-hour hold,
a psychiatric hold.
533
00:31:05,073 --> 00:31:06,443
[Vella] This person
had told him
534
00:31:06,633 --> 00:31:08,903
perhaps the most chilling
detail in this whole case.
535
00:31:10,763 --> 00:31:13,193
He said that he had recently
strangled a woman
536
00:31:13,393 --> 00:31:15,233
and had bragged
about the event
537
00:31:15,433 --> 00:31:17,993
and said that there's no other
feeling quite like
538
00:31:18,193 --> 00:31:21,453
feeling somebody's
life escape them
as you choke them.
539
00:31:23,863 --> 00:31:26,403
[Sacks] Unfortunately,
he was admitted as a John Doe,
540
00:31:26,603 --> 00:31:29,573
and so the police weren't able
to learn much at all
541
00:31:29,773 --> 00:31:31,443
because he was able
to check out
542
00:31:31,633 --> 00:31:33,723
before they were ever able
to interview him.
543
00:31:35,553 --> 00:31:36,543
As all this was playing out,
544
00:31:36,743 --> 00:31:38,063
they get a call
from a family member
545
00:31:38,263 --> 00:31:39,643
who lives in Philadelphia
546
00:31:39,843 --> 00:31:42,993
and saw the video
that police released,
547
00:31:43,193 --> 00:31:46,923
they identified that suspect
was Jonathan Harris.
548
00:31:47,123 --> 00:31:49,043
He'd recently been
released from prison.
549
00:31:51,143 --> 00:31:52,193
Jonathan Harris
550
00:31:52,393 --> 00:31:55,883
had served a sentence
for robbery.
551
00:31:56,083 --> 00:31:59,403
He had just been
released on July 15th,
552
00:31:59,603 --> 00:32:02,333
five weeks before
Christina's murder.
553
00:32:02,533 --> 00:32:04,953
[Melwert] By the time
they identified him
as a suspect,
554
00:32:05,153 --> 00:32:06,213
he was already in the wind.
555
00:32:12,903 --> 00:32:14,473
[Vice] On August 28th,
556
00:32:14,673 --> 00:32:16,783
we issued an arrest warrant
for Jonathan Harris
557
00:32:16,983 --> 00:32:18,753
or homicide related charges
558
00:32:18,953 --> 00:32:20,103
in the death
of Christina Kraft.
559
00:32:21,763 --> 00:32:22,923
[Sacks] The police
were concerned,
560
00:32:23,123 --> 00:32:24,573
Harris was considered to be
561
00:32:24,773 --> 00:32:27,233
dangerous and unpredictable.
562
00:32:27,433 --> 00:32:31,503
They were worried that
it was only a matter of time
before he hurt someone else.
563
00:32:31,703 --> 00:32:33,453
They needed to apprehend him
right away.
564
00:32:36,073 --> 00:32:38,543
[Vice] Once we positively
identified
565
00:32:38,743 --> 00:32:40,643
Jonathan Harris
as the subject,
566
00:32:40,843 --> 00:32:41,713
we had to find him,
567
00:32:41,913 --> 00:32:43,953
so we started doing
some searching,
568
00:32:44,153 --> 00:32:45,853
find family members,
find friends,
569
00:32:46,053 --> 00:32:47,953
find anybody that we can
that can talk to us about
570
00:32:48,153 --> 00:32:49,763
where he may or may not be.
571
00:32:51,213 --> 00:32:54,373
Then at one point detectives
spoke to his sister,
572
00:32:54,573 --> 00:32:57,093
and we ultimately learned
573
00:32:57,293 --> 00:32:59,923
that there was a bus ticket
that was purchased,
574
00:33:00,123 --> 00:33:02,173
and that Jonathan
was on that bus...
575
00:33:03,933 --> 00:33:05,663
...and that he was headed
to Pittsburgh.
576
00:33:06,973 --> 00:33:08,883
[Matthew Roth]
The Philadelphia investigators
577
00:33:09,083 --> 00:33:11,613
contacted the Pittsburgh
Fugitive Task Force,
578
00:33:11,813 --> 00:33:14,373
to let us know that
their suspect Jonathan Harris
579
00:33:14,573 --> 00:33:15,933
was on his way to Pittsburgh.
580
00:33:17,103 --> 00:33:18,643
We did all our backgrounds
581
00:33:18,843 --> 00:33:20,613
as far as his
criminal history,
582
00:33:20,813 --> 00:33:23,443
as far as photographs,
so everyone would know
what he looked like.
583
00:33:23,633 --> 00:33:26,503
[female reporter]
Police say that
30-year-old Jonathan Harris
584
00:33:26,703 --> 00:33:29,373
had just been released
from prison in July.
585
00:33:29,573 --> 00:33:32,373
Harris definitely had
significant criminal history,
586
00:33:32,573 --> 00:33:34,403
nothing like homicide
in his past,
587
00:33:34,603 --> 00:33:37,263
but forcible felonies
as far as robbery,
588
00:33:37,463 --> 00:33:39,193
drug dealing, burglary.
589
00:33:39,393 --> 00:33:41,373
We printed out pictures,
made copies,
590
00:33:41,573 --> 00:33:43,093
so everyone was actually
carrying a photograph
591
00:33:43,293 --> 00:33:44,793
of the last arrest photo.
592
00:33:49,213 --> 00:33:52,403
Philadelphia told us exactly
when the bus would be arriving
593
00:33:52,603 --> 00:33:54,573
from Philadelphia
to Pittsburgh,
594
00:33:54,773 --> 00:33:56,443
so we had the team in place,
595
00:33:56,633 --> 00:33:59,693
so that we cut of his avenues
of escape.
596
00:34:02,353 --> 00:34:05,123
And we were lying
in wait in a trap
597
00:34:05,323 --> 00:34:07,483
for Jonathan Harris
to arrive in Pittsburgh.
598
00:34:18,523 --> 00:34:22,573
We had a car out that
saw the bus coming
into the area,
599
00:34:22,773 --> 00:34:24,373
so we knew the bus
was going to arrive,
600
00:34:24,573 --> 00:34:26,403
we were all on communication
on radio.
601
00:34:26,603 --> 00:34:28,953
We were ready and waiting
602
00:34:29,153 --> 00:34:32,213
as the bus started
to offload passengers.
603
00:34:33,793 --> 00:34:37,063
I was very close
to the doors that
604
00:34:37,263 --> 00:34:39,453
the people disembarked
the bus from.
605
00:34:40,763 --> 00:34:43,473
He was probably
30 feet away from me
when the bus pulled up
606
00:34:43,673 --> 00:34:45,593
and about the third person
off the bus.
607
00:34:47,103 --> 00:34:48,993
We let him walk off the bus,
608
00:34:49,193 --> 00:34:51,813
and I'm looking at height
and weight and build,
609
00:34:52,013 --> 00:34:54,833
and I'm very certain
that this is our guy
610
00:34:55,523 --> 00:34:56,853
as I approached him.
611
00:34:57,053 --> 00:35:00,853
I cornered the suspect
Jonathan Harris
against the wall,
612
00:35:01,053 --> 00:35:04,903
at the time he realized that
I was probably a cop.
613
00:35:07,143 --> 00:35:09,543
I could see his eyes
dart left and right,
614
00:35:09,743 --> 00:35:12,373
looking at, possibly trying
to get away,
615
00:35:12,573 --> 00:35:14,443
and it was too late
at that point.
616
00:35:14,633 --> 00:35:16,403
When I confronted him,
617
00:35:16,603 --> 00:35:18,123
he did give me a fake name,
618
00:35:18,323 --> 00:35:20,573
trying to say that
he wasn't Jonathan Harris.
619
00:35:20,773 --> 00:35:22,883
We were pretty sure
that he was,
620
00:35:23,083 --> 00:35:24,973
and we did take him
into physical custody there.
621
00:35:25,973 --> 00:35:27,923
We contacted Philadelphia's
task force
622
00:35:28,123 --> 00:35:29,923
and let them know that
we had him in custody.
623
00:35:30,123 --> 00:35:31,953
They immediately
sent detectives out
624
00:35:32,153 --> 00:35:33,973
from Philadelphia
to Pittsburgh.
625
00:35:37,003 --> 00:35:40,573
[Vella] The detectives
from Montgomery County
sat in a room with him
626
00:35:40,773 --> 00:35:42,473
and tried to get
a statement from him about
627
00:35:42,673 --> 00:35:44,623
what had happened on the night
of Christina's murder.
628
00:35:48,723 --> 00:35:52,573
Initially, he told them that
he had seen Christina around,
629
00:35:52,773 --> 00:35:55,793
that he recognized her
from being in Philadelphia.
630
00:35:58,553 --> 00:36:00,783
Christina was by herself
631
00:36:00,983 --> 00:36:03,023
in Philadelphia
in the suburbs.
632
00:36:03,223 --> 00:36:07,063
She missed her friends
and the exciting lifestyle
of New York City,
633
00:36:07,263 --> 00:36:09,903
so I think she was going out
to recapture some of that.
634
00:36:12,663 --> 00:36:14,443
[Walz] I think the reason
why she was going out
635
00:36:14,633 --> 00:36:16,193
and grabbing
a drink by herself
636
00:36:16,393 --> 00:36:17,593
was she was probably lonely.
637
00:36:18,663 --> 00:36:21,193
She was by herself,
when you're by yourself
638
00:36:21,393 --> 00:36:22,453
you're going
to get approached.
639
00:36:26,763 --> 00:36:29,093
[Sacks] It started out
very friendly by all accounts,
640
00:36:29,293 --> 00:36:30,853
but just hours later,
641
00:36:31,053 --> 00:36:32,863
the evening took
a terrible turn.
642
00:36:35,243 --> 00:36:37,613
[Vella] He mentioned that
he was pretty high
643
00:36:37,813 --> 00:36:39,093
on the day of the murder.
644
00:36:39,293 --> 00:36:40,853
He had smoked some marijuana,
645
00:36:41,053 --> 00:36:42,123
he had used cocaine,
646
00:36:42,323 --> 00:36:43,543
he had been drinking,
647
00:36:43,743 --> 00:36:45,783
and he also mentioned
to using K2,
648
00:36:45,983 --> 00:36:49,933
which is a street name
for what is essentially
synthetic marijuana.
649
00:36:51,483 --> 00:36:53,643
He says that they met
in Center City,
650
00:36:53,843 --> 00:36:56,163
uh, that they were going back
to her apartment,
651
00:36:56,363 --> 00:36:58,593
and he had an ounce of cocaine
that he was gonna sell her.
652
00:37:00,453 --> 00:37:03,373
She says that she's not gonna
pay him for the cocaine,
653
00:37:03,573 --> 00:37:05,023
and he gets angry,
654
00:37:05,223 --> 00:37:07,333
he's scared because
he needs this money,
655
00:37:07,533 --> 00:37:10,093
and so he says there
was a physical altercation,
656
00:37:10,293 --> 00:37:12,193
at one point she hit him
with a wine bottle,
657
00:37:12,393 --> 00:37:13,523
and things got out of hand.
658
00:37:16,903 --> 00:37:19,373
Harris is adamant that
he had nothing to do
with Christina's death,
659
00:37:19,573 --> 00:37:23,233
that when he left
Christina's apartment
she was perfectly fine.
660
00:37:23,433 --> 00:37:24,713
But the detectives could see
661
00:37:24,913 --> 00:37:28,403
that there were some
inconsistencies with,
uh, Harris's story.
662
00:37:28,603 --> 00:37:30,883
They knew that a coroner's
examination found that
663
00:37:31,083 --> 00:37:33,283
Christina had no cocaine
in her system whatsoever.
664
00:37:35,483 --> 00:37:37,443
They took a little bit
of a break,
665
00:37:37,633 --> 00:37:39,023
they gave him
some time to think,
666
00:37:39,223 --> 00:37:41,263
and they came back and said,
667
00:37:41,463 --> 00:37:42,763
"Did you tell us
the whole truth?"
668
00:37:49,483 --> 00:37:52,643
Police are able
to kinda pull some
strings on his story,
669
00:37:52,843 --> 00:37:54,303
and it starts to fall apart,
670
00:37:54,503 --> 00:37:57,763
and it doesn't take
very long for him
to just spill his guts.
671
00:37:59,973 --> 00:38:01,173
He admitted that he'd lied.
672
00:38:02,553 --> 00:38:06,063
He lied about the two
of them doing cocaine,
673
00:38:06,263 --> 00:38:08,923
and crucially, he lied
when he'd said that
674
00:38:09,123 --> 00:38:10,413
he had nothing to do
with her death.
675
00:38:11,353 --> 00:38:12,953
He admitted
on the second statement
676
00:38:13,153 --> 00:38:14,693
that he did indeed
kill Christina.
677
00:38:19,763 --> 00:38:23,233
Her last breath was,
was at his hands.
678
00:38:23,433 --> 00:38:26,163
He even made a comment
after he was in custody that,
679
00:38:26,363 --> 00:38:28,213
"Well, she was still breathing
when I left."
680
00:38:28,903 --> 00:38:29,933
I don't believe that.
681
00:38:30,933 --> 00:38:32,403
I don't think there's
any possibility
682
00:38:32,603 --> 00:38:35,143
that Christina Kraft
was breathing when he left.
683
00:38:36,933 --> 00:38:38,753
[Vella] He admitted that
after he killed her,
684
00:38:38,953 --> 00:38:40,953
he covered her body with
685
00:38:41,153 --> 00:38:44,683
clothing, with a, an area rug
that was in her apartment.
686
00:38:44,883 --> 00:38:47,783
Uh, he admitted to changing
into her clothing
687
00:38:47,983 --> 00:38:49,613
because his was covered
in blood.
688
00:38:49,813 --> 00:38:52,063
And he admitted to jumping
689
00:38:52,263 --> 00:38:53,813
from her balcony
to ground level
690
00:38:54,013 --> 00:38:56,663
to hide himself
from the cameras
out front of her building.
691
00:38:58,413 --> 00:39:01,003
Harris was charged with
first and third degree murder.
692
00:39:07,283 --> 00:39:10,303
[Vella] Andre Melton
was arrested
in December 2018,
693
00:39:10,503 --> 00:39:12,233
which was several months after
694
00:39:12,433 --> 00:39:14,023
Harris had been
taken into custody.
695
00:39:14,223 --> 00:39:16,573
Police had been looking
for him for quite some time
696
00:39:16,773 --> 00:39:18,753
and ultimately
caught up with him
697
00:39:18,953 --> 00:39:20,683
when he was arrested
in Philadelphia
698
00:39:20,883 --> 00:39:22,333
on a minor drug possession.
699
00:39:22,533 --> 00:39:24,403
And they noticed that
he had this open warrant
700
00:39:24,603 --> 00:39:26,883
for a robbery
in Montgomery County.
701
00:39:27,083 --> 00:39:28,853
Melton was later found guilty
702
00:39:29,053 --> 00:39:31,593
for robbing Christina
and was sentenced
to state prison.
703
00:39:37,483 --> 00:39:39,503
[Melwert] The murder case
went to trial,
704
00:39:39,703 --> 00:39:43,503
and Jonathan Harris
pleaded not guilty.
705
00:39:43,703 --> 00:39:45,503
[Vella] There was a lot
of evidence in this case.
706
00:39:45,703 --> 00:39:49,713
This was a really air tight
investigation by detectives.
707
00:39:49,913 --> 00:39:52,923
It would've been
extremely difficult
for Harris and his attorney
708
00:39:53,123 --> 00:39:55,813
to insert any doubt
into the minds of jurors about
709
00:39:56,013 --> 00:39:58,813
who had killed Christina,
how she had been killed.
710
00:39:59,013 --> 00:40:02,193
[Melwert] What Harris
was trying to avoid
was first degree murder,
711
00:40:02,393 --> 00:40:04,683
which in Pennsylvania carries
a mandatory life sentence,
712
00:40:04,883 --> 00:40:07,713
and was trying to argue that
this was third degree murder,
713
00:40:07,913 --> 00:40:11,063
which is 20 to 40 years
in prison.
714
00:40:11,263 --> 00:40:14,543
[Vella] But the jury
found Harris guilty
of first degree murder,
715
00:40:14,743 --> 00:40:17,503
and he was sentenced
to life in prison.
716
00:40:17,703 --> 00:40:21,233
A Philadelphia man
accused of murdering
a one-time Playboymodel
717
00:40:21,433 --> 00:40:23,973
has been found guilt
on all charges.
718
00:40:24,593 --> 00:40:25,683
[Melwert] At sentencing,
719
00:40:25,883 --> 00:40:27,543
Alexander Ciccotelli,
her fiance,
720
00:40:27,743 --> 00:40:29,853
got to address
Jonathan Harris,
721
00:40:30,053 --> 00:40:32,233
and, you know,
he called him a coward,
722
00:40:32,433 --> 00:40:34,333
that, that he, you know,
strangled and choked
723
00:40:34,533 --> 00:40:38,163
a, a, you know, a woman
much smaller than him,
724
00:40:38,363 --> 00:40:42,883
and he also said
how hurtful and painful
this had been for the family.
725
00:40:43,083 --> 00:40:46,813
Alex said,
"It wasn't bad enough
that you killed my fiancee,
726
00:40:47,013 --> 00:40:48,953
but then you also had
to come out with this lie and,
727
00:40:49,153 --> 00:40:50,683
and just slander her,
728
00:40:50,883 --> 00:40:52,063
and, and drag her
through the mud
729
00:40:52,263 --> 00:40:54,503
with this line
about the cocaine."
730
00:40:54,703 --> 00:40:55,853
She didn't have any cocaine
in her system,
731
00:40:56,053 --> 00:40:57,163
they never found any cocaine
732
00:40:57,363 --> 00:40:58,953
or traces of cocaine
in her apartment,
733
00:40:59,153 --> 00:41:01,853
and her fiance says
as long as he has known her,
734
00:41:02,053 --> 00:41:03,103
she has never used cocaine.
735
00:41:07,973 --> 00:41:09,573
[Vice] She loved modeling,
736
00:41:09,773 --> 00:41:12,173
I think she liked
being in front of the,
you know, the camera.
737
00:41:12,973 --> 00:41:14,923
Her aunt had mentioned to me
738
00:41:15,123 --> 00:41:16,753
that one of Christina's
best moments
739
00:41:16,953 --> 00:41:19,213
was how she was able
to work with Playboy.
740
00:41:22,483 --> 00:41:25,403
[Walz] I think Christina had
modeled for so many years,
741
00:41:25,603 --> 00:41:28,953
and modeling
is a career that
742
00:41:29,153 --> 00:41:31,123
isn't always going
to be lifelong,
743
00:41:31,323 --> 00:41:32,753
you have to have
744
00:41:32,953 --> 00:41:34,883
other careers kind of in place
745
00:41:35,083 --> 00:41:37,903
to kind of take over that
fulfillment in your life.
746
00:41:40,243 --> 00:41:41,853
I hope moving forward that
747
00:41:42,053 --> 00:41:43,783
Christina is remembered
748
00:41:43,983 --> 00:41:47,453
for the amazing,
beautiful girl that she was.
749
00:41:51,173 --> 00:41:52,753
[Madison] She might have
thought she was prepared
750
00:41:52,953 --> 00:41:55,573
to handle any situations
she was in,
751
00:41:55,773 --> 00:41:57,833
and unfortunately,
that went horribly wrong.
752
00:42:01,383 --> 00:42:02,903
I think about Christina a lot.
753
00:42:04,073 --> 00:42:05,683
Her and I were the same age,
754
00:42:05,883 --> 00:42:08,213
had same careers,
755
00:42:09,313 --> 00:42:10,973
and now she's gone.
756
00:42:12,793 --> 00:42:14,353
It's absolutely
heart breaking.