On March 30, 2016, when 36-year-old Markia Benson fails to show up for work and doesn’t respond to calls and texts, friends and family are concerned. A co-worker and her boyfriend drive to her apartment where they find Markia dead in the bathtub with scalding hot water running over her body. The cause of death is ruled blunt and sharp force head injuries complicated by extensive scald burns. Investigators find a crude message scrawled throughout the apartment in red lipstick. Trash is tipped over in the apartment. Letters, papers and her passport are ripped up and strewn throughout the living room. Based on the evidence at the scene, police believe the killer knew Markia—and knew her well. Investigators have their suspicions but are asking the public to come forward with information that will lead to an arrest.
If you have any information on the murder of Markia Benson, leave an anonymous tip at passcrimestips@udpd.org, 610-734-3439, or go to unsolved.com.
Images released in connection with this episode. If you recognise anyone pictured, contact the tip line — you may remain anonymous.
Make the ex take a lie detector test.
10years yesterday and it’s still long live aunt Markia!
Ok I’m not sure what evidence they have that says differently but in my opinion men don’t write in lipstick, women do. From the what it sounds like she stayed in contact with several of her ex’s. There’s no way they ALL were single, even if they were just friends… it sounds to me like a woman scorned. Could it have been the guy was acting fishy because it was his current gf who did it? A woman wouldn’t easily overpower her which makes more sense why she would bring a hammer with her, a man wouldn’t need a hammer AND to strangle her. Maybe she wasn’t let in, maybe the apartment was unlocked..the woman surprise attacked her hitting her in the head with the hammer and then did the rest while she was unconscious to make sure she was dead and erase evidence. After that in a rage she trashed the apartment, jealously tearing up the passport and letters (were the old letters romantic ones between the ex and her?)(were they looking for something in particular? Was anything stolen?). I know the minute I heard lipstick writing and derogatory words i thought it had to be a woman. Then I re-listened to the episode and the only thing I heard that might dispute it (from the evidence I’m aware of anyway) was moving the body, which I would assume would be harder for a woman but definitely not impossible especially if Markia was petite. Also, iPhones at that time could be unlocked using a fingerprint so Maybe those texts weren’t from Markia maybe she was attacked while in bed which is why that’s where the most blood was? She sounds like an early riser so by 8 she normally most certainly would have already been dressed and ready to leave. So if she slept in the nude and the attacker attacked her while she was asleep but before she left the apt and she saw she was getting texts maybe she chose to respond to delay suspicion or to delete evidence or to look for messages between her and the ex? Maybe no one saw anything because another woman leaving the apt wouldn’t even be weird especially if they looked anything alike? So sorry to her family for such a horrible loss. I feel like this one is gonna get solved, someone will eventually talk eventually even if it’s just for reward money. More than one person HAS to know.
before everyone continues to spread the wrong theory about my aunt . It was not lipstick at all that was smeared on the wall. The scene was more sadistic and evil to explain and what was done to her was definitely done by the bare hands of a man. And I still hope years latter he get what he deserves if not in life then in death.
Love Yu aunt Kia ! He will get his day and until then I will scream long live aunt Kia ! Till the day I die ! She will always be what we call the bougie aunt! The one who dared to be different, traveled the world and over came career obstacles that would be considered the hardest to overcome, she will always be the light to our family’s tunnels and I appreciate her for that. She didn’t need kids to fulfill her legacy because I will always be here to carry it out . Love you Kia …. Xoxo ur inspired niece.
I’m sorry for your loss x x
I wish they would find who did it. I can’t believe this person hasn’t been caught, but I feel confident that she knew the person. Kia didn’t deserve this.
Wow this mad me cry. I am so sorry for her famaily
We have the same name & was the same age…rip baby girl