[El Scorcho]

Victim's Sister Gives Gruesome Details of Killing

Posted By: Kathleen Shannon, WCSH Anchor/Reporter
May 28, 2009

PORTLAND -- The older sister of Zoe Sarnacki says she wants people to know what Chad Gurney, the man accused of killing Sarnacki, is capable of. So she is making public gruesome details of the murder.

18-year-old Sarnacki's body was found Monday night in Gurney's Portland apartment after crews were called in to a fire there.

Kristin Kosnow says a Portland Police detective told her Gurney confessed to the killing, saying, " He had strangled her until she was dead ... went into the kitchen and got knives and cut her head off. He then went and bought gas and set her on fire."

Kosnow says the detective gave the family the grim details because many stories were circulating and they wanted the family to know what really happened.

The Sarnacki family is pursuing a civil lawsuit against Gurney. In 2005 he was injured in an accident involving two school vans while attending Liberty University in Virginia. He was awarded a settlement described by his lawyer in that case as, "substantial."

Portland attorney Dan Lilley is representing the Sarnackis in their civil suit to seize that money and any other assets Gurney may have and to ensure there is a public trial since Gurney reportedly confessed.

"Often time if that's the case and it's open and shut there's a plea - there's not a trial," says Lilley. "But that wouldn't prevent a civil case from going forward with a trial. So that the entire set of circumstances including the defendent testifying might come to bear."

Gurney did not enter a plea when he made his initial court appearance yesterday.

On Monday night, friends will hold a candlelight vigil for Zoe Sarnacki at 6 PM at 463 Cumberland Avenue in Portland outside Gurney's apartment where Sarnacki's body was found.

Original Article: http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.a ... yid=105268

[4everfsu]

I wonder if Oregon has the death penalty. If so, this is a time to use it.

[PAmedic]

Horrific. Very sorry for the family

praying for all involved, incl Chad

[vastrightwinger]

I wonder if Oregon has the death penalty. If so, this is a time to use it.

This happened in Portland, Maine, not Oregon so no, there is no death penalty.

[4everfsu]

Ok thanks for the clarification even tho the article starts with Portland, OR

Too bad he does not fry

[Kolzilla41]

I was reading on the N&A a few weeks ago and one of the commenters who hate LU had posted a link to this story. This is a very disturbing story.

[flamesbball84]

sounds like that van accident he got into hurt more than just bones...

[JK37]

Any report on a reason why, or even what his relationship was with the girl?

[Libertine]

Any report on a reason why...?

A reason why he would decapitate a loved one? Whatever it might be, I somehow doubt it's good enough.