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Updated 04/22/2009 06:05 AM

Craiglist killing suspect graduated from UAlbany in 2007

By: Britt Godshalk

The man who police believe is the "Craigslist Killer" has ties to the Albany area. Phil Markoff, 22, graduated from UAlbany with a Bachelor's degree in 2007 and volunteered at Albany Medical Center. Britt Godshalk has the story.

Craiglist killing suspect graduated from UAlbany in 2007
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Philip Markoff spent four years at the University at Albany. He graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor's degree in Biology.

UAlbany officials say the police department at the school had no contact with Markoff when he was a student there and there are no cases at the school in which he is a person of interest.

The Albany Police Department also said there are no cases in the city in which Markoff is a person of interest.

Craiglist killing suspect graduated from UAlbany in 2007
But it's a different story in Boston, Massachusetts. Markoff was arrested Monday after a traffic stop in the Boston area. Police said last week he was inside a Boston hotel room where he fatally shot a masseuse who had advertised her services on Craigslist. Police said there's also evidence connecting Markoff to the robbery of another woman who also advertised on Craigslist.

Markoff's arrest came days after security photos were released of a man seen leaving the hotels shortly after the attacks.

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Markoff is a native of Sherrill, New York, and is the son of a dentist. While at UAlbany, he volunteered in the emergency room of Albany Medical Center from 2005 to 2007. The hospital told us he was in "good standing" while he was there. It was there he met fiancee and fellow Great Dane, Megan McAllister. They were engaged last May and planned to wed later this year. His fiancee has been vocal in his defense.

But now Markoff faces a murder trial, and police said there is possibly a connection between Markoff and the robbery of a woman in Rhode Island.

Several students outside the UAlbany Biology building said they didn't know Markoff.