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Teen Arrested in Craigslist Killing

Victim lured by prospect of cattle ranching job

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 18, 2011 2:34 PM CST

(Newser) – A 16-year-old high school student has been arrested in connection with what appears to be a plot to lure people to an Ohio town with Craigslist job ads and then kill them, police announced today. A 52-year-old, Richard Beasley, also is being held as a suspect, the Akron Beacon Journal reports. On Nov. 6, a South Carolina man told deputies he’d responded to a Craigslist ad promising cattle ranch work—only to have his would-be employers try to shoot him.

The man said his faux-employers had driven him to a wooded area, then pointed a gun at his head. He deflected the gun, but was shot in the arm as he fled. Last Friday, a Boston woman called police to say her twin brother had gone missing, and she feared he’d responded to the same ad. On Tuesday, police found a body in a shallow grave near the site of the South Carolina man’s shooting, and they believe the incidents are related.

The Craigslist page for Parkersburg-Marietta, Ohio is seen in this screenshot. (Craigslist)

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Showing 3 of 11 comments

greyeyedgirl

Nov 24, 2011 5:05 PM CST

Wow...this is some very spooky creepy shit! It's bad enough that one is without a job...looking for employment only to be lured to your death? People please be careful as we are in very dangerous times! I tell friends that are looking for employment or housing to carry protection with them and let everyone know where they are going and give all info about the job offer and all info about which apartment you are going to check out...its time to do background checks on "employers" and "landlords" as there is way too much going on these days.

Jingo

Nov 23, 2011 7:53 AM CST

If we outlaw selling guns to deranged people, only deranged people will own guns.

jpr11011

Nov 19, 2011 6:29 AM CST

This is just awful. I feel the worst for that woman who lost her twin, that is something you never get over. It's also a really traumatic experience for the guy who got shot. I hope they lock the sickos responsible up and throw out the key!

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Teen Arrested in Craigslist Killing

Victim lured by prospect of cattle ranching job

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