Coleman Family Murders

Chris Coleman, a former security chief for a televangelist ministry, made headlines in 2009 when his wife and two sons were found brutally murdered in their home in Columbia, Illinois, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. The case quickly became a national sensation due to its shocking nature and the high-profile nature of Coleman's former employer.

On May 5, 2009, Sheri Coleman, 31, and her two young sons, Garett, 11, and Gavin, 9, were discovered dead inside their residence. The bodies were found by police officers after a concerned relative called for a welfare check when Sheri failed to respond to messages. The crime scene indicated a violent and premeditated attack, with the victims having been strangled to death.

Authorities immediately focused their investigation on Chris Coleman, the husband and father of the victims. As the primary suspect, he underwent intense scrutiny, with suspicions further heightened by his actions in the aftermath of the murders. Chris was unharmed during the attack, and his lack of visible emotion and cooperation with the police raised suspicions about his involvement.

The investigation uncovered various motives that could have driven Chris to commit such a heinous act. First and foremost, Chris was reportedly involved in an extramarital affair, which he tried to keep hidden from his wife and family. His affair partner was a high school friend and coworker, and the relationship had been ongoing for several years. This affair was seen as a possible reason for the murders, as Chris could have been seeking to start a new life with his lover, free from the burden of his family.

Furthermore, Chris's employment as a security chief for Joyce Meyer Ministries added another layer of complexity to the case. The ministry, known for its popular televangelist programs, was deeply concerned about the potential damage the scandal could cause to its reputation. Chris's role as a high-ranking employee made the case even more intriguing to the media and the public.

As the trial progressed, evidence continued to mount against Chris Coleman. His computer and mobile phone revealed incriminating searches related to murder methods, plastic surgery, and alibis. Additionally, forensic experts identified suspicious behavior in his online activity, suggesting attempts to create a false trail of evidence pointing away from him.

During the trial, the defense argued that the police focused solely on Chris as the prime suspect and failed to investigate other potential leads. They claimed that Chris was innocent and that the evidence could have been tampered with or planted to frame him. However, the prosecution presented a compelling case that painted Chris as a cold and calculated killer who orchestrated the murders to be with his lover.

Ultimately, the jury found Chris Coleman guilty on three counts of first-degree murder. In June 2011, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The verdict brought some closure to the tragedy, but the pain and loss endured by Sheri's and Chris's families remained immense.

The Coleman family murders left a lasting impact on the communities involved and served as a grim reminder of the potential consequences of secrets and betrayal. The case also sparked discussions about the dark side of televangelist ministries and the pressure that employees might face to maintain an image of perfection at all costs.

In the years since the trial, the case has continued to be a subject of interest in true crime circles and has been covered in various documentaries and TV specials. However, the pain and grief caused by this senseless act of violence will forever be remembered by those who knew and loved Sheri, Garett, and Gavin Coleman.