Watch CBS News

Suspect In Murder Of Former Playboy Model Christina Kraft Arrested In Pittsburgh

Follow KDKA-TV: Facebook | Twitter

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A man suspected of killing former Playboy model Christina Kraft has been arrested in Pittsburgh.

The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced that Jonathan Harris was arrested by U.S. Marshals as he got off a bus.

"John Wesley Harris was taken into custody a short time ago in Pittsburgh," said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele during a press conference on Wednesday, the day of Kraft's funeral.

Harris is from Johnstown, and he was released in July from the state prison in Greene County.

Jonathan W. Harris
Photo Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney's Office

He was wanted for murdering Kraft in Ardmore, an affluent Philadelphia suburb, on Aug. 22. He's being charged with first- and second-degree murder.

Kraft was a model who had done shoots for Vanity Fair, Victoria's Secret and Playboy.

christina-kraft (1)
Photo Credit: CBS Philly

"It was a violent death and we are going to pursue justice in this case," Steele said.

Police say Kraft's killer met her on the night she died.

According to investigators, surveillance video shows Harris walking with the victim that night. Harris allegedly sent text messages to a friend saying, "I just met this sexy a** white b****, at her house in Ardmore now." That text message was sent at 2:40 a.m. the morning she died.

An autopsy report confirms Kraft had a broken nose and was strangled. Police think Harris left through a back door.

It's unclear why Harris was in SCI Greene and what precipitated his release in July.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.