Two men charged with killing escort as part of crime ‘spree,’ prosecutors say
An escort using a Woburn Red Roof Inn room to meet her clients had a gun held to her head and was robbed of her purse last Wednesday night.
She was the lucky one.
Less than a half an hour later, another escort at the Extended Stay America Hotel in Burlington was dead. Murdered, investigators said Monday, by the same two men who robbed the woman in Woburn.
Sanisha Johnson, 34, of New York City, advertised her services on a website, according toThe Boston Globe. Early Thursday morning, Extended Stay employees heard a woman scream and then a gunshot. They called police, who found Johnson dead in a room. She’d been shot in the chest, the Globe reported.
Johnson was identified on Monday, along with her two possible killers: Epshod Jeune, 24, of Burlington, and Derrell Fisher, 21, of Roxbury. For Jeune, the Extended Stay hotel was familiar territory: According to the Globe, he used to work there.
Jeune and Fisher had a “joint venture’’ to rob escorts, as Middlesex Assistant District Attorney Adrienne Lynch described it in court according to the Globe. In a news release, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan appealed to any other possible victims to come forward.
“Our concern now is whether other similar incidents may have occurred recently and we urge members of the public with pertinent information to call (781) 897-6600,’’ Ryan said.
Jeune and Fisher were arrested on Monday and arraigned on charges of murder, attempted armed robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm. They were also charged with armed robbery and armed assault in a dwelling for the Red Roof Inn incident.
Investigators were able to identify the men using security footage and text messages exchanged with one of the victims, WCVB reported. According to the Globe, one of the victim’s IDs was found in Jeune’s home.
Jeune and Fisher pleaded not guilty and were ordered held without bail. Jeune’s lawyer, Robert S. Sinsheimer, told Boston.com: “We intend to conduct an independent investigation and leave no stone unturned.’’
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com