Longo enters FBI's '10 Most Wanted'
'America's Most Wanted' show featuring ex-Ypsilanti Township man accused in family's slaying.
Saturday, January 12, 2002
By AMALIE NASH
NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Christian Longo joined some of history's most infamous fugitives Friday when he was named to the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted" list. He'll also be featured tonight on a segment of the television show "America's Most Wanted."
It's all part of an increased media blitz to draw attention - and hopefully capture - the former Ypsilanti Township man accused of killing his wife and three children. Their bodies were found in December along the Pacific Coast in Oregon.
Longo joins the likes of Osama bin Laden on the fugitives list, which had openings after two of those most wanted were captured recently. The FBI's top 10 list marked its 50th anniversary last year.
Federal authorities believe Longo has fled to Mexico. Charles Mathews, the FBI's special agent in charge in Oregon said Longo apparently used a stolen credit card and false identification to buy an airline ticket to Cancun, Mexico. The ticket was bought Dec. 27 at San Francisco's international airport, Mathews said.
Police said Longo was spotted at a San Francisco coffee shop Dec. 23, then spent the nights of Dec. 23-24 in a city youth hostel. He was again seen in San Francisco on Dec. 26.
Last week, authorities recovered from an airport parking lot a stolen sport utility vehicle that Longo had apparently been using.
Longo, 27, lived in Washtenaw County until last spring. He has been the subject of a nationwide manhunt since the bodies of his wife and three children were found floating in two Oregon coastal inlets.
Senior Agent Greg Stejskal of the FBI's Ann Arbor office said Longo was chosen for the top 10 fugitives list because authorities believe publicity will help track him down.
"Usually the criteria is that it's a high-profile egregious crime, and that the person is armed and extremely dangerous," Stejskal said.
Ann Arbor agents have been receiving information on Longo since the slayings, but Stejskal declined to discuss what they've learned. He did say, however, that authorities don't think Longo is planning to return to the Ann Arbor area.
Longo has been charged with aggravated murder in the deaths of his wife, MaryJane, 34, and three children, Zachary, 4, Sadie Ann, 3, and Madison, 2. No motive has been established.
Christian Longo's parents, Joe and Joy Longo of Indianapolis, issued another statement through a family spokesman this week urging their son to turn himself in. They also said they provided information to America's Most Wanted for its show.
"We are all extremely distraught over the events of the past couple of weeks, as well as the funeral this past weekend. Our concern is for all who have been adversely affected, and for Chris himself," the statement said. "We encourage anyone that has knowledge of Chris' whereabouts to please contact the authorities."
Longo was born in Iowa, then lived in Michigan for nearly 10 years. His wife grew up in Ann Arbor. While living in Washtenaw County, Longo amassed more than $60,000 in debt and was the subject of several criminal forgery and larceny cases. He operated Final Touch Construction Cleaning and lived with his family in West Willow until they moved in the spring.
Longo is a diabetic and apparently was living in a green Dodge Durango for several days before it was impounded at the San Francisco airport. Police recovered a pillow, clothing, a personal computer, food, wine and restaurant receipts from the stolen Durango. Longo has been using at least two aliases, police said.
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Longo's arrest. He is described as 6-foot-1 and weighing 190 pounds. He has blue eyes and reddish blond hair, and has several surgical scars on his back, police said.
Oregon authorities ask that anyone with information on Longo's whereabouts call (541) 265-4949.
To look at the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list, log on to: http://www.fbi.gov/mostwant/topten/tenlist.htm
Amalie Nash can be reached at [email protected] or (734) 994-6832.