Ex-cop guilty of killing woman he met on Craigslist, burning her body

ATLANTA -- A former Atlanta police officer has been found guilty of murder for killing a 26-year-old woman he met online and burning her body.

WSB-TV reports that 25-year-old Tahreem Rana was found guilty Wednesday of multiple charges, including felony murder, more than two years after he fatally shot Vernecia Woodard in Hapeville. Hapeville police have said Rana and Woodard met on Craigslist for a “romantic exchange” and the night she was killed was the first time they had met in person, reported CBS affiliate WGCL.

Rana testified Woodward tried to rob and carjack him with his gun. He said he killed Woodard during the struggle, panicked, and set her body on fire.

Experts testified Woodard had wounds indicating she was in a defensive position when she was shot.

A few days after the victim’s body was found, U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents arrested Rana while he was trying to catch a flight to Mexico. He has reportedly since been fired from the force.