DEATH INVESTIGATION AT THE COPLEY MARRIOTT HOTELBoston Police Receive Over 150 Tips
Investigators Believe Warwick Incident Is Connected
The Boston Police Department continues to seek the public’s assistance for information related to the homicide that occurred at the Copley Marriott hotel on April 14, 2009. The victim has been identified as Julissa Brisman, 26, of New York City, New York.
Investigators are currently following up on more than 150 tips that have poured into the Boston Police Department. Due to the investigative nature of the information, the department is unable to disclose any specific details related to the tips received.
The Boston Police Homicide Unit is working closely with the Warwick Police Department relative to an armed robbery which occurred at the Holiday Inn Express in Warwick, Rhode Island on April 16, 2009.
Boston Police investigators have learned from Warwick authorities that at approximately 11:17pm on April 16, 2009 Warwick officers were dispatched to the Holiday Inn Express for a report of a robbery in progress.
There officers spoke with a 26 year old female victim, who indicated that she had posted an ad on craigslist advertising exotic dances to be performed in the hotel room. She stated that she had scheduled a meeting with a male who was to come to the hotel room. When the male arrived, whom she observed as a white male, approximately 6’3’’ tall with blonde hair wearing a black leather jacket, a pink dress shirt, a white T-shirt underneath, blue jeans and black dress shoes, he entered the room.
Shortly thereafter, this individual attempted to rob the victim at gunpoint. Information received indicates that the victim’s husband returned to the hotel room, proceeded to enter and caused the suspect to flee.
Currently, Boston Police detectives do believe, based upon a number of similarities, that there is a strong connection between the Warwick incident, the homicide at the Copley Marriott and the armed robbery at the Westin Hotel.
Boston Police continue to work closely with the Warwick Police Department. In addition, Boston Police investigators are aggressively following up on all information received from the community.
There is no additional images or information available to be released at this time. Boston Police Media Relations will continue to provide updates as appropriate.
Previously Released Information:
On Tuesday April 14, 2009, at approximately 10:13pm, officers from District 4 responded to a report of an unconscious female at the Copley Marriott Hotel at 110 Huntington Ave. Upon arrival, hotel security updated the police that the unconscious female may have been the victim of an assault, possibly a stabbing. Officers observed Ms. Brisman suffering from what was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds to the torso.
Members of the Boston Fire Department administered CPR and EMS then rushed her to BMC where she was soon pronounced as a result of her injuries.
The preliminary investigation suggests Ms. Brisman was advertising masseuse services on Craigslist. Detectives believe that this incident was an attempted robbery. It appears that there was a struggle between the victim and the suspect in the threshold of the hotel room immediately prior to the shooting.
In addition, detectives believe that this incident is related to another recent incident which also occurred at a local hotel.
On April 10, 2009, at approximately 12:46am, officers responded to a robbery in progress at the Westin Hotel at 10 Huntington Ave. Officers received a report from a 29 year old female victim that she was robbed at gunpoint in her hotel room.
The Boston Police Homicide Unit is actively investigating the facts and circumstances of this incident and urges anyone with information regarding this incident to notify them by calling (617) 343-4470. Individuals wishing to provide information anonymously may do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or texting ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police strictly protects the identity of all individuals wishing to provide information anonymously.
