Pennsylvania

Images Capture Person of Interest in Former Model Christina Carlin-Kraft's Killing on the Main Line

Christina Carlin-Kraft was strangled in her Ardmore condo last week.

What to Know

  • Christina Carlin-Kraft was found dead Wednesday night by police performing a welfare check at her Ardmore condo.
  • An autopsy on Thursday revealed she was strangled and the manner of death was ruled homicide.
  • On Monday, police released images of a person of interest in the death of the model who once posed for Playboy.

Nearly a week after a former model who posed for Playboy was found strangled inside her upscale condominium near the popular Suburban Square shopping center on Pennsylvania's Main Line, authorities have released images of a person of interest in her killing.

The body of 36-year-old Christina Carlin-Kraft was discovered Wednesday night inside her bedroom at a condo complex on Sibley Avenue in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said. Police performing a welfare check found Kraft's body.

The Montgomery County coroner on Thursday ruled the manner of death as homicide.

On Monday, the DA's office released images showing a man who had contact with Kraft in the area of Broad and Locust streets in Philadelphia early Wednesday morning. Video near the 15th and Market entrance to the SEPTA subway captured the man.

Playboy Kraft Murder Suspect Ardmore
Surveillance images released by Montgomery County detectives
Surveillance images of a man later identified as Harris. See Larger

The person of interest possibly used a ride-hailing service from 13th and Locust in Center City to Sibley Avenue in Ardmore, investigators said.

Detectives spent much of Thursday combing the Ardmore condo and the complex for evidence. They collected surveillance video from nearby businesses. The complex sits adjacent to the Ardmore Farmers Market and Suburban Square.

Congress Guns
AP
Christina Carlin-Kraft, 36, was found dead inside her Ardmore condo on Aug. 23, 2018. An autopsy found she was strangled. | See Larger

In addition to the person of interest, police are also searching for a man who they say is not connected to Kraft's murder but instead burglarized her apartment several days before her death.

An arrest warrant was issued for Andre Melton, 31, of Southwest Philadelphia. Police say Melton stole from Kraft's condo on Sibley Avenue and they continue to search for him. He is not considered a suspect or person of interest in her murder, however.

Kraft's modeling credits include Playboy, Maxim, David Yurman and MAC Cosmetics, according to a profile on a modeling website. In 2016, she was charged with assault in New York City for striking a restaurant staffer. The charges were later dropped.

Family remembered Kraft as "more than a Playboy model."

Only NBC10 talked to family members of a former model found murdered in her Mainline condo.

"She was the sweetest girl, loving and kind and generous and thoughtful," Kraft's aunt, Angelique Carlin, said. "Those are the things I will miss about my niece."

Prosecutors asked anyone who recognizes the man seen in the video to call Lower Merion police at 610-649-1000 or county detectives at 610-278-3368. You can also submit tips through the STOPit app by using the code "MONTCOPA."

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