Richard Beasley
Ohio investigators probe shootings possibly tied to Craigslist ad:
Investigators in Ohio have found two more bodies that may be connected to the most recent craigslist killing.
As by now I’m sure you know 16-year-old Brogan Rafferty of Stow, Ohio and 52-year-old Richard Beasley of Akron are believed to be involved with the death of 51-year-old David Pauley. They allegedly lured him from Florida to Ohio with the promise of steady employment at a fictitious ranch. Pauley was shot and killed then buried in a shallow grave. Some believe this was done so Beasley could steal his identity in order to stay out of jail. You see how well that worked out.
Anyway this past weekend two more bodies had been found that may be connected to Beasley. The body of 47-year-old Timothy Kern of Massillon, Ohio was found in a shallow grave. His family members say that he had responded to a craigslist ad that was eerily similar to the one Beasley is accused of posting. Even on his Facebook Kern himself said that he felt the job offer was strange but good.
A 3rd body that so far has only been described as a white male has also been discovered. There has been a gag order placed on the case so no more details about the possible third victim have been released yet.
I’m not going to fault the victims in this story especially due to the hard economic times we’re going through now. However if any ad on craigslist, or any classifieds site, seems to good to be true it probably is. If at anytime you have any hesitation about responding to any kind of ad listen to that hesitation.
Or just don’t use craigslist at all. I think I’ve offered plenty of evidence about the kind of criminal element that lurks there unfettered.
Thanks to all who sent in tips.
UPDATE 11/29/2011: 2 churches deny that Beasley was a chaplain of theirs in any way shape or form. I would think so since most chaplains don’t deal in drugs and prostitution…allegedly.
UPDATE 12/1/2011: Rafferty has been charged with aggravated murder. Also the possible third fatality is believed to be a man named Ralph Geiger and he was shot in the head.
UPDATE II 12/1/2011: Beasley is said to have managed at least 14 prostitutes in 2009 including a 17-year-old girl. I wonder if he used a certain classifieds site for that or was it the other one?
Craigslist crime post #1528
Killers post #148
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