Newlywed Couple Reportedly Killed Man for 'Thrill of It'
A Pennsylvania couple faces charges of homicide after deciding to kill a man and setting a trap for an innocent person who answered a Craigslist ad. The two actually watched police examine the crime scene the morning after killing the man, reports state.
Miranda Barbour, 18, and her husband Elytte, 22, both face criminal homicide charges in the death of Troy LaFerrara, 42. LaFerrara answered a Craigslist ad for companionship and met Miranda while Elytte hid in the backseat. Then, when Miranda gave a signal, he wrapped a cord around LaFerrara's neck and Miranda stabbed him approximately 20 times.
After dumping the body in an alley, the couple went out to celebrate Elytte's birthday. The following morning, they returned to the scene of the crime and watched as authorities worked the crime scene. Police were able to trace LaFerrara's cell phone and find Miranda's number, which led them to bring her in for questioning.
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She initially denied knowing him but police gathered plenty of evidence, including the cell phone link. Miranda claimed that LaFerrara groped her and she stabbed him in self-defense, then went and picked up cleaning supplies to hide her crime. However, Elytte told investigators that he was the one who bought the cleaning products, which was supported by surveillance footage from the store.
Elytte told The Daily Item, a local paper, that Miranda frequently hired herself out as a "companion" to men but the relationships or dates were strictly platonic.
"She is not a prostitute," Elytte said. "What she does is meet men who have broken marriages or have no one in their lives and she meets with them and has delightful conversation. I love her and will defend her innocence in all of this. She is not a cold killer and I believe her. She is my wife."
Sunbury Police Chief Steve Mazzeo told The Daily Item that authorities will also look into the death of a man who is the father of her 1-year-old child.
