Mass. Drops Charges in Craigslist Killing After Suspect's Suicide

Prosecutors have formally dropped their case against a man who committed suicide in his jail cell while awaiting trial on charges of killing a masseuse he met through Craigslist.

Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley said a document was filed Thursday saying the prosecution had been terminated because of Philip Markoff's death.

The former Boston University medical student was awaiting trial in the 2009 killing of Julissa Brisman of New York City. Brisman was beaten with a gun and shot three times at a Boston hotel.

Conley said it has been frustrating for Brisman's family because they wanted to face Markoff in court.

He says his office plans to release evidence against Markoff within a few weeks.

Brisman and 34 other homicide victims will be honored later Thursday at an annual ceremony at Boston's "Garden of Peace.''