Brutal Death for Beautiful Student

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Imette was getting her master's degree in forensic psychology.

Imette St. Guillen was enjoying a night out in New York City with her long time friend to blow off some steam.

The graduate student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice was bar hopping and soon her close pal decided it was time to go home. But Imette wasn't ready to head back.

Imette's friend called to see if everything was okay when she got home and in the brief conversation, Imette said she was fine at another bar. But this was the last time anyone heard from her.

A few hours later, her ravaged body was found wrapped in a cheap, flower print bedspread off a parkway in Brooklyn. Imette had been raped, suffocated and strangled.  She had been bound hand and foot, with a sock stuffed in her mouth to muffle any sound.

Her face was wrapped like a mummy in clear plastic packaging tape, suggesting that her killer wanted to freeze the pained expression on her face. Also, the killer chopped off her signature long, black hair.   

Cops say there is evidence that the petite 5'2'' woman struggled with her attacker, but still she violently was overcome. 

Major Clues Could ID Killer

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Identifying this bedspread is a major key in catching her killer.

Still cops are hopeful that several big clues could pinpoint who committed such monsterous acts.

First, if the origin of the bedspread can be determined, then investigators have a major step in the right direction. Cops say it is a white, commercial quality quilt, with a Monet-like print of red, pink and purple flowers. More than likely, it is from a cheap motel in the area.

Also, the police were tipped off on the body's location after a mysterious phone call. The call was made from a pay phone outside a nearby diner. Cops suspect that it was either made by the killer or someone related to her murder, in an attempt to get attention or in remorse. 

Once cops identify the blanket and who made the phone call, they believe they'll find their killer.

Now, cops believe they may have gotten the big break they have been waiting for. 

On Sunday March 5, 2006, police executed a search warrant above the bar where Imette St. Guillen was last seen alive. 

They were searching for hours above the "Falls" Bar in Manhattan -- searching for clues in her murder. 

Darryl Littlejohn is a bouncer at the bar.  Police are talking to him to see if he knows anything about the murder of Imette St. Guillen. 

A witness says he saw Littlejohn arguing with Imette outside the bar around 4 a.m. the morning she went missing.  What's more, police say physical evidence links Darryl Littlejohn to the murder scene.

On Wedneday, March 22 a grand jury agreed -- indicting Darryl Littlejohn for allegedly killing Imette St. Guillen.

Sick Murder Sparks Media Controversy

Imette's gruesome murder has terrified the New York City area, but it has also triggered media controversy in Boston for comments made by John DePetro, a midmorning radio host.

During his show DePetro said  that, "As tragic as it is, your first reaction is she should not have been out alone at 3 or 4 a.m. in the morning because look at what can happen."  

The nature of his comments regarding such an emotional case, infuriated womens' advocacy groups who have rejected the host's take on the case, claiming it blames the victim.

NYC Bar Bouncer Convicted Of Coed's Murder

Friends and family of  wept as the jury read the guilty verdict in a New York courtroom on June 3, 2009.

They'd waited three long years for justice, and the day had finally come: Darryl Littlejohn was found guilty of first degree murder in the 2006 death of the criminal justice student.

On July 8, 2009, Littlejohn was sentenced to life in prison for Imette St. Guillen's murder. Littlejohn was already serving 25 years to life for the kidnapping of another woman.