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| Richard Beasley |
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| Brogan Rafferty |
Akron, Ohio
Most of you have probably heard of, or may even be watching the story unfolding in Ohio involving applicants responding to a Craigslist employment listing turning up dead.
It was called “a job of a lifetime,”
according to the listing on Craigslist. Today, it is better known as “the final job of a lifetime.” According to authorities, the Craigslist ads first appeared in early October, on the popular classifieds website. One applicant, now living in South Carolina, was shot in the arm. Scott W. Davis says he met with two men in Marietta about working on a 688-acre cattle ranch. Following a meal, Davis rode with the two men to Caldwell and Stock Township. He told deputies that at one point, they all got out and began to walk. This, according to Davis, was when he heard the sound of a gun being cocked behind him. He was able to deflect the gun, but did receive a gunshot to the arm while fleeing. Davis alerted authorities after hiding for seven hours.
On Tuesday, police and cadaver dogs discovered a body, whose identity has not been released, buried in a shallow grave. This follows a call from a woman in Boston, reporting that her brother was missing after answering an employment ad on Craigslist. The unidentified victim had been missing since late October.
Noble County Sheriff Stephen Hannum said in a statement,
“We believe the attempted murder of victim number one and the likely murder of victim number two are connected and possible committed by the same person.”
A judge has issued a Gag Order in the case. However, two people are in custody.
Richard Beasley, a 52-year-old Akron man and 16-year old
Brogan Rafferty. Police have charged Rafferty, a student at Stow-Munroe Falls High School, with attempted murder and complicity to attempted murder. As for Beasley, he was already in custody in connection with unrelated prostitution and other charges.
Investigators say the strange and long-term bond between the pair, Beasley and Rafferty, developed at church. Beasley claimed to be reformed, following a lengthy criminal history, while a troubled Rafferty looked to him as a mentor.
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| Beasley and Rafferty |
At this point, because of the gag order,
investigators are not releasing any additional details. However, friends of teen Brogan Rafferty are busily working online declaring his innocence. An unconfirmed source on the
Free Brogan Rafferty Facebook Page (which has now been removed) reports that authorities found Rafferty’s fingerprints on a vehicle allegedly involved in the shooting incident. In addition to the Facebook Page, friends of Brogan Rafferty have also created a
website to weigh opinions.
Update: (Victim List Growing)
Scott Davis, 48, from South Carolina (No Photo Available)
Fled his attackers after they lured him into the woods on November 6. He was shot in the elbow but managed to run and hide before alerting authorities. Police later found a grave they believe was intended for him.
David Pauley, 51, from Norfolk, Virginia
Found in a shallow grave with a gunshot wound to the back of his head on November 8. Pauley, who was divorced, had been out of work for a year when he responded to the advert. His family last heard from him on October 22, the day before he was meeting his new employers.
The divorced father of three sons was found in a shallow grave behind Rolling Acres Mall in Akron on November 25. He died from a gunshot would to the head. Kern was last seen on November 13. Tim's last posting on Facebook, November 10 at 4:20 p.m., refers to the "job offer."
"Just got one of the strangest job offers. A good offer but strange. The job is to watch over 680 acres south of cambridge. Odd jobs and such but mainly just secure it. Trailer, utilities, salary. Drawbacks? No cell phone service, kids are up here, and i have to move this sunday. Life can be such a bitch sometimes."
An Unidentified Victim
Found in a shallow grave hours later on November 25 in Noble County. He is a white male but police do not yet know his identity.
