Christina Carlin-Kraft was a former Playboy model who was found strangled to death in her apartment in a Philadelphia suburb in 2018. She was 36 years old at the time of her death. Her murder shocked the modeling industry and the public, as she was known for her beauty and charisma. Here are some facts about Christina Carlin-Kraft’s life, career, and death.
Early Life and Career
Christina Carlin-Kraft was born on November 11, 1983, in New Jersey. She grew up in a loving family and had a passion for modeling since she was a child. She attended Cherry Hill High School East and graduated in 2001. She then moved to New York City to pursue her modeling dreams.
Christina Carlin-Kraft had a successful modeling career, working with prestigious brands and magazines such as Vanity Fair, Maxim, Victoria’s Secret, and Playboy. She also appeared in several commercials and TV shows, such as The Bold and the Beautiful and How I Met Your Mother. She was known for her stunning looks, charming personality, and professional attitude.
Personal Life and Relationships
Christina Carlin-Kraft was engaged to her long-time boyfriend Alexander Ciccotelli, a Wall Street banker whom she dated for nine years. They had bought an apartment together in Ardmore, a posh neighborhood in Philadelphia, where Christina moved in 2018. They were planning to get married soon.
Christina Carlin-Kraft was also close to her family and friends, who described her as a loving, caring, and fun-loving person. She enjoyed traveling, shopping, cooking, and spending time with her loved ones. She had a positive outlook on life and always tried to make others happy.
The Break-In Incident
A few days before her murder, Christina Carlin-Kraft experienced a traumatic incident at her new apartment. On August 18, 2018, she went out for a night with her friends in the city center. There, she met a man named Andre Melton, who spiked her drink at a bar. He then followed her home and broke into her apartment while she was asleep. He stole some of her luxury bags and jewelry worth thousands of dollars.
Christina Carlin-Kraft woke up the next morning and realized what had happened. She immediately called the police and reported the burglary. The police managed to recover some of her stolen goods in southwest Philadelphia on August 22, 2018. They also identified Melton as the suspect from the surveillance footage of the apartment building.
The Murder
On August 22, 2018, Christina Carlin-Kraft left her apartment again for the city center in the early morning hours. She took an Uber ride and met another man named Jonathan Harris at a bar. Harris was an alleged drug dealer who had just been released from prison a few days earlier.
According to Harris’s confession later, he and Christina Carlin-Kraft went back to her apartment after having drinks and drugs together. There, they got into an argument over money and drugs. Harris then attacked Christina Carlin-Kraft with his fists, breaking her nose and blackening her eyes. He then strangled her to death with his hands or a belt.
Harris then fled the scene, leaving Christina Carlin-Kraft’s body covered with a blanket on the bed. He also took some of her belongings with him, including her phone and keys. He tried to escape the state by taking a bus to Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, Christina Carlin-Kraft’s fiance Ciccotelli became worried when he could not reach her or enter her apartment, which was locked from the inside. He called 911 and asked for help. The police arrived at the scene around 9:15 pm and found Christina Carlin-Kraft’s body in a gruesome crime scene.
The Investigation and Arrest
The police launched a massive manhunt for Christina Carlin-Kraft’s killer, using the surveillance footage of the apartment building and the Uber records to track down Harris. They also received multiple tip-offs from the public who recognized Harris from his photos released by the media.
On August 29, 2018, Harris was arrested by federal marshals at a hotel in Pittsburgh. He confessed to killing Christina Carlin-Kraft during an interrogation by the police. He claimed that he acted in self-defense after she attacked him first with a knife.
Harris was charged with first-degree murder, robbery, theft, and related offenses. He pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
The Aftermath
Christina Carlin-Kraft’s murder shocked and saddened many people who knew her or admired her work. Her family and friends held a memorial service for her on September 4, 2018, at St Thomas Church in New York City. They remembered her as a beautiful soul who touched many lives with her kindness and generosity.
Christina Carlin-Kraft’s murder also raised awareness about the dangers of online dating and the need for more security measures in apartment buildings. Many people expressed their condolences and outrage on social media, calling for justice for Christina Carlin-Kraft.
Christina Carlin-Kraft’s murder case will be featured on ID’s The Playboy Murders, a new series that explores the tragic deaths of former Playboy models. The episode, titled Moth to a Flame, will air on Monday, February 6, 2023, at 10 pm ET. According to ID, the episode will show how the police used surveillance video to find the culprit.