Former Playboy model strangled in Pennsylvania apartment

Trish Hartman Image
Friday, August 24, 2018
Investigation continues in Ardmore murder
Investigation continues in Ardmore murder. Maggie Kent reports during Action News at Noon on August 24, 2018.

ARDMORE, Pa. -- The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office is investigating the homicide of a 36-year-old woman who authorities say was strangled in her Lower Merion apartment.

Police and detectives with the DA's office were at a condominium complex in the 100 block of Sibley Avenue Thursday afternoon as an officer guarded the entrance to the building.

Investigators said they were called to the home around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday for a welfare check and found Christina Carlin-Kraft dead in the bedroom inside her first-floor unit at the Cambridge Square apartments.

Sources say surveillance video shows a man following Kraft into the building the night before her body was discovered. Police believe he left by jumping off the balcony.

Kraft was a model who according to a booking page credits herself with a "tasteful photo shoot for Playboy that was beyond hollywood glamour."

Former Playboy model found strangled in her Ardmore apartment bedroom: As seen on Action News at 10:30 p.m., August 23, 2018

An autopsy performed by the Montgomery County Coroner's Office, determined her cause of death was strangulation and the manner of death was homicide.

Woman found strangled in Ardmore: Trish Hartman reports on Action News at 6 p.m., August 23, 2018

A source said Kraft reported having items stolen from her home a few days ago. Police executed a search warrant in Southwest Philadelphia on the 6500 block of Theodore Street early Wednesday and said they recovered some of her belongings including jewelry and designer bags. It's not clear at this time if the theft is connected to her homicide.

Police have not announced any arrests, but officials said people who live in the area should not be concerned.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Lower Merion Police Department or the Montgomery County Detective Bureau.

Authorites investigate Ardmore homicide: Trish Hartman reports on Action News at 5 p.m., August 23, 2018

Neighbors say Carlin-Kraft had just moved into her apartment last week. Her modeling profile lists her credits as photo shoots for Vanity Fair, Victoria's Secret, Playboy and Maxim.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.