Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F.

Conley
One Bulfinch Place, Boston, MA 02114-
2921
http://www.mass.gov/da/suffolk

Press Office
News Release 10-228

Contact: Jake Wark

Office: (617) 619-4206
Mobile: (617) 872-7294
Fax: (617) 619-4210
Email: Jake.Wark@massmail.state.ma.us

REMARKS OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY DANIEL F. CONLEY

ON THE AUG. 15, 2010, DEATH OF PHILIP MARKOFF

BOSTON, Aug. 16, 2010—Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley

today delivered the following remarks on the death of PHILIP MARKOFF (D.O.B.
2/12/86). Markoff was found deceased on Aug. 15 inside his cell at the Nashua Street
Jail, where he was awaiting trial for the April 14, 2009, first-degree murder of Julissa
Brisman and related offenses:

“At 10:06 am this past Sunday, Aug. 15, a corrections officer making routine
rounds at the Nashua Street Jail discovered Phillip Markoff unresponsive in his jail cell.
Staff at Nashua Street immediately administered CPR and notified 911. Within minutes,
members of Boston Emergency Medical Services responded to Mr. Markoff’s cell.
Efforts to revive Mr. Markoff were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at 10:17
am. Mr. Markoff died at his own hand.
“This death should not divert attention from what really happened here. It should
not obscure the overwhelming evidence against Mr. Markoff or the brutality of his
crimes. It is, in no small way, the ultimate indicator of consciousness of guilt.
“As the District Attorney, I am designated by statute to direct all death
investigations within Suffolk County. Mr. Markoff’s death is no different. I have
assigned Assistant District Attorney Mark Lee, deputy chief of our Homicide Unit, to
lead this investigation with the Boston Police Homicide Unit squad led by Sgt. Det. Mark
Sullivan.
“The investigation into Mr. Markoff’s death has been active since the moment of
its discovery. It remains active even at this hour and as a result there are still some pieces
of information that cannot yet be released. Nonetheless, the public deserves updated and
accurate information about Mr. Markoff’s death.
“The following information is based on the recovery of physical evidence, key
witness interviews, examination of video surveillance footage, an autopsy of Mr.
Markoff’s body by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and initial observations of
the condition of Mr. Markoff’s body and his cell at the time he was discovered.
“Mr. Markoff was the sole occupant of cell #24 at Nashua Street Jail.
“At 1:59 am on Sunday, August 15, he was alone in his locked cell and turned out
his light.
“A review of surveillance footage reveals that no one entered Mr. Markoff’s cell
until the time he was discovered some eight hours later at 10:06 a.m.
“Mr. Markoff took several measures to harm himself and ensure his own death.
Using a primitive scalpel made from a pen and a sharp piece of metal, he inflicted a series
of small punctures and incisions on his body, including his neck, arms, wrists, and ankles.
He hit several veins and the carotid artery in his neck. All of the wounds were consistent
with suicide.
“Mr. Markoff fastened a plastic bag around his head with a length of gauze. He
fastened a second plastic bag around his feet. These were large, clear bags available to
inmates at the jail.
“After autopsy, the Medical Examiner determined that this series of actions
resulted in air loss and blood loss and combined to cause his death. We’re currently
awaiting toxicology reports to determine what medications, if any, were in his system and
whether they contributed to his death.
“Many of you are also curious as to what effect Mr. Markoff’s death has on the
criminal case against him. His death effectively terminates our pending prosecution, and
we will file a nolle prosequi closing the case at the next scheduled court date of Sept. 16.
“The evidence assembled against this defendant was overwhelming in quantity
and substance. All of it was developed by the men and women of the Suffolk DA’s
office and the Boston Police Homicide Unit who left no stone unturned in their efforts to
bring Philip Markoff to justice for the murder of Julissa Brisman.
“With Philip Markoff’s final actions, the Brisman family has been deprived of an
opportunity to hear a verdict rendered, to see justice pronounced, and even the chance to
tell the court and Mr. Markoff – face to face – what Julissa meant to them and the
immeasurable pain and loss he inflicted upon them. These are important moments for
victims of this type of violence and, as we did from the very beginning, I ask you all
again to keep Julissa Brisman and her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.
“I want to extend a final word of thanks to Comissioner Ed Davis for his
leadership throughout this case and to the men and women of the Boston Police
Homicide, Special Investigations and Fugitive Units. I also want to recognize the
Massachusetts State Police, the FBI, Secret Service, Warwick, Rhode Island police
department, the Rhose Island Attorney General’s Office, and the New York City Police
Department for their outstanding contributions into the investigation of Philip Markoff’s
crimes.”

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond
a reasonable doubt.