Police: Garage was crime scene in FSU prof's slaying

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Investigators listed the garage as the crime scene in the death of Daniel Markel, a Florida State University law professor who was found shot in the head at his Tallahassee home on July 18, according to a police report released Friday.

The heavily redacted report from Tallahassee police also indicates that they were first notified of the crime via a 911 call made by a neighbor in which he/she reported hearing a loud "bang" next door. The person also reported seeing a white or silver vehicle that resembled a Prius leaving the scene.

The report provides few other details about the killing of Markel, which has largely been shrouded in mystery. Police have no suspects and have not hinted at a motive, saying only that Markel, 41, was targeted, and was not the victim of a random crime. The report says there was no sign of forced entry.

Early last week, police asked for help in finding a vehicle of interest, though they had declined to confirm whether it was a Prius.

The report also says Markel's 2008 Honda Accord is being checked for clues and that the keys were found inside the unlocked car.

"Our investigators are using all resources available to them and are continuing to explore all of the tips that we have received," police chief Michael DeLeo said in a written statement.

Markel was born in Toronto, was the father of two boys and a 2001 graduate of Harvard Law School. He practiced white-collar criminal defense and civil litigation before joining the Florida State law school as a faculty member in 2005. He was tenured in 2010.

Police are attempting to contact anyone with a connection to Markel or who may have seen him on July 17 or July 18. CrimeStoppers has offered a $3,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Tallahassee Police Department's tip line at (850)-891-4462 or CrimeStoppers at (850)-574-TIPS.