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More Details On Arrest In Case Of Playboy Model's Death
Christina Carlin-Kraft met the suspect, Jonathan Harris, at around 3 a.m. in Philadelphia's City Center befor they both returned to her home, prosecutors say.
Police have arrested a man in the death of former Playboy model Christina Carlin-Kraft, who prosecutors say the victim had been driven to meet in the early hours of the morning she was killed.
Jonathan Wesley Harris has been charged with murder in the case after authorities say a citizen recognized Harris in surveillance video and photographs that had been released to the media, according to a statement released jointly by Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Lower Merion Township Police Superintendent Michael J. McGrath.
They say Kraft left her apartment early on the morning of Aug. 22 and took ride with a Lyft driver to Center City. Police were able to find video footage that shows her allegedly meeting Harris, before they got into a vehicle and returned to her apartment shortly after 3:00 a.m., the statement said.
Although no motive has been released in the killing, authorities said there was no indication the two had met before the day of her death, according to The Inquirer.
Records show the front door of the apartment was opened at 3:08 a.m. and a back door to the terrace was closed at 5:19 a.m.
Harris allegedly sent a friend a text message at 2:40 a.m. that said "I just met this sexy ass white b-----, at her house in Ardmore now," police said according to WJZ, the Philadelphia CBS news station.
While the two were together, authorities believe "a violent struggle" occurred, leaving Kraft beaten and her nose broken.
She was killed by "ligature strangulation," the Inquirer reported.
"For someone's life to be taken with strangulation takes a lot of pressure and time," Steele said, according to the paper. "This is a violent death, and we will pursue justice."
Kraft was later discovered dead in the evening of the Aug. 22 by police who were doing a wellness check.
Harris was arrested in Pittsburg after "fleeing the Philadelphia area," Steele's statement said.
He had recently been released from prison on July 15 for charges that included assault and had been staying with his sister, local news station WPVI reported.
Harris was ordered to be held without bail in a court hearing Thursday morning.
He has previously been arrested for robbery, drug possession, assault and harassment, according to The Inquirer.
[Photo: Montgomery County Office of the District Attorney]
