Gay violence charity issues warning over hookup murders
A violence charity has warned men using hookup apps to exercise caution, after a spate of killings.
28-year-old Chad Marshall Wilcox, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was charged last week with the murder of a man he allegedly met on the hookup section of Craigslist.
The killing is the sixth hookup-related homicide in the US this year, with fears that the prevalence of apps and websites have exacerbated problems.
Osman Ahmed, of the the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs said: “Stigma often prevents us from talking about hook-up related violence, that’s why at NCAVP we are working hard to raise awareness about this critical issue in our communities.
“Far too often we see LGBTQ people targeted for robbery and violence via online dating and hook-up platforms.
“It is imperative that more resources and programs are made available that seek to prevent such violence and promote safety online.”
Wilxox stands accused of the murder of 36-year-old Manuel Hakimian
Attorney Thomas W McGoldrick said: “This is a very vicious murder. The evidence suggests that the victim was tied up when he was killed.
“We allege that the defendant actually cut the victim’s throat.”
