Police: Local woman sought hit man on craigslist

ROCKFORD (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Authorities say a woman who was looking for a hit man on Craigslist was from West Michigan.

The woman police have in custody is Ann Marie Linscott of Rockford.

Ann Marie Linscott had been involved in many things before she struck up an affair with a man in California and decided to advertise for someone to get rid of his wife. At least that's what federal authorities have accused her of.

Linscott has been a masseuse for about four years now. She's worked as a massage therapist since 2001 at both the Hospice of Grand Rapids and the Riverview Athletic Club.

She even spent four years working as a nutritional planner for the United States Coast Guard, at times supervising over as many as 500 people.

She has several certifications as a masseuse and earned her degree from Ferris State University in Big Rapids back in 1986.

We went to her home in Rockford Sunday night looking to get reaction to what's happened, but were told by an unidentified man we were not welcome there.

Reporter: Well, we just wanted to know if you might be willing to talk to us.

Unidentified man: Well you heard what I said, leave my family alone, or I''ll get the shotgun and call the sheriff right now.

Reporter: OK. Well, we're going to get video of the home then.

Unidentified man: unintelligible

Reporter: If we're not on the property we're allowed.

Unidentified man: Do you want me to come out there and kick your ass?

Reporter: Sir we're not trying to cause any problems.

Unidentified man: Bull**** get the f*** out of here.

Reporter: Well.

Unidentified man: I'm going to get my shotgun. You don't think I'll shoot you, I will in two seconds. Get the f*** out of here now.

Reporter: OK.

At that point we left as did the unidentified man.

As for the investigation into Ann Marie Linscott, federal authorities have not identified Linscott's alleged target, but did say she's left the country for her own safety.

The FBI arrested Linscott on Thursday at her home in western Michigan. She's being held ahead of a Tuesday hearing and was expected to be sent to California to face charges.

A message seeking comment was left Saturday with her court-appointed public defender.

According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court in California, the woman last year placed an ad under the title "freelance."

Some people who responded told authorities they were offered $5,000 to "eradicate" a woman in Oroville, California.