A suspect, Ronnie “Jay” Towns, 28, the owner of the phone that last communicated with the Runions' phone, according to the sheriff's office, turned himself in earlier yesterday and was charged with murder today, ABC affiliate WSB-TV reported.
Like many
places, web anonymity on Craigslist provides a cover for the most
heinous activities, including those by
aspiring murderers.
What makes Craigslist so popular with aspiring murderers? It’s mostly free to use, and it’s mostly anonymous—in many sections of the site, the person placing the ad doesn’t have to give a name or other identifying details. The Craigslist email anonymizer hides your email address. If you place your ad from a public computer, and maybe wear a wig and fake beard while doing so, the police will have trouble tracking you down after you’ve dispatched your victim.
Authorities today positively identified the bodies of a Georgia couple who vanished last week while going to meet someone to buy a vintage car they found on Craigslist.
Bud Runion, 69, and his wife, June, 66, disappeared Thursday, authorities said. The pair had posted an ad seeking to buy a vintage 1966 Ford Mustang convertible. Relatives said the Mustang was the couple’s dream car, one they’d wanted to buy since they were married decades ago...
Officials with Craigslist referred to the safety page on the company’s website, which notes, “Be especially careful when buying/selling high value items.”