A gorgeous New York model who doubled as an Internet masseuse was shot dead at a posh Boston hotel - and cops think her killer struck before.

Julissa Brisman, 26, was killed at the plush Marriott Copley Place hotel, apparently by a man who answered her ad on craigslist, police said.

What we know is that Miss Brisman was advertising masseuse services on craigslist," said Boston police spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll.

Pals said Brisman was an aspiring actress who did a public service ad for cell phone safety. She also worked on music videos and other photo shoots, gave her mom part of her earnings and bought school books for her 14-year-old sister.

Photographer Mark Pines, who knew Brisman for six years, insisted she was offering "straight massage, that's all. It was all legit."

He also rejected speculation she died resisting a thief.

"She wouldn't have resisted robbing her. It wasn't in her nature. She would have just given up the money."

Other friends said they didn't know Brisman was working as a masseuse or advertising online.

Toya Mickens, 24, said she only knew that Brisman, whom she called "a very sweet girl," went out of town "all the time."

"I saw her Sunday night after she came home after walking her dog. She was on her way out with her luggage. She said she was going to Boston."

Terhune last saw Brisman in January when she did a sexy photo shoot in a pink bikini for a tanning salon ad campaign.

Brisman, a slim blond with a Playboy bunny tattoo on her hip, told him she had been paid $1,000 to fly out to private parties in Chicago and walk around in a bikini or topless.

"I don't think it went beyond that," Terhune said. "They were just parties where guys wanted to see hot girls."