Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.
After Jun Lin, a Chinese student, did not show up to work in May 2012, the following month, authorities received reports of body parts mailed to Canada’s top parties. After police confirmed that the body parts belonged to Jun Lin, Luka Magnotta was soon considered a possible suspect. The entire case of Lin’s death and Magnotta’s capture has recently been featured in the Netflix documentary Don’t F**k With Cats.
According to Global News, police added Magnotta to Interpol’s wanted person list after Lin’s murder, which led to a worldwide search. But he still managed to evade authorities to cross borders and enter new countries. Soon, authorities got a breakthrough when it was discovered that Luka Magnotta was in France, reported The Daily Beast. However, as per NBC News, a cafe employee working in Germany’s Neukölln district recognized Magnotta.
The cafe employee contacted the German police, and seven uniformed police officers went inside the cafe to catch the suspected killer. As per NBC News, officers talked with Luka Magnotta and asked for identification. However, Magnotta initially gave a false name before surrendering.
Citing the investigators, NBC News noted, “He tried to give them a false name, but the police insisted, so he said, ‘You’ve got me,’ and we arrested him.” In June 2012, Magnotta was flown from Germany to Canada and charged with first-degree murder, as per CBC News. The alleged killer pleaded not guilty to five charges.
Where is Luka Magnotta now?
After Luka Magnotta’s return to Canada, he pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence in the murder and dismemberment case, per Global News. In July 2012, authorities discovered the human remains of Jun Lin in a city park. Almost a year later, in March 2013, Magnotta’s lawyers wanted the case to be closed publically. However, the court dismissed the motion and allowed the public and the media to be inside the courtroom.
Before the trial, the defense lawyer told the court that his client admitted to murdering Lin, per Global News. However, the lawyer also noted that Magnotta was not criminally responsible for the murder. The Independent reported that during the trial, prosecutors presented videos showing Magnotta and Jun Lin entering his house. After a while, the video shows the accused exiting the place with several black bags and a large grey suitcase. The outlet also mentioned that the bags contained Lin’s remains.
Investigators also found traces of Lin’s blood in the refrigerator present in Luka Magnotta’s apartment. CTV News also mentioned that the forensic experts found traces of blood in the freezer, bathroom sink, and bathtub. The outlet also indicated that the forensic investigators discovered Lin’s blood on a mattress cover. Afterward, the trial also saw Jun Lin’s former lover testifying in the court.
Court sentenced Magnotta to life in prison
According to CTV News, Lin’s ex-lover noted that his family wanted him to marry and settle down. However, they didn’t know that Lin was gay. After listening to several testimonies, the jury deliberated for eight days before reaching a verdict in the Luka Magnotta case. CBC News reported that the jury found Magnotta guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced him to life in prison, with no possibility of parole for 25 years.
Per CTV News, Luka Magnotta is currently serving his sentence in a medium-security prison.
