True Crime by Chris Bunton
It seemed to be a situation furthest away from the temptations of Lust and Murder. A soldier. A Security Officer working for a famous global ministry. A beautiful church going family. But, no one is immune to temptations, and the whispering of demons.
On May 5, 2009 Ex-Marine Chris Coleman murdered his wife Sheri Coleman (31) and their two sons Gavin and Garret. (9, 11) He strangled them in their beds, in Columbia, Illinois.
Chris and Sheri were married for 10 years before the murders. They were described as a wonderful couple and a beautiful family.
Chris got a job working security for Joyce Meyer ministries in Missouri, across the river.
In 2008 he started getting threatening letters that referenced the ministry, his travels and harming Chris’s family.
At the same time, Sheri Coleman started to suspect that Chris was having an affair. It turned out that he was meeting a woman during his travels. Sheri asked a friend to pray for her because Chris had asked for a divorce.
On May 5, 2009 Chris Coleman woke up and went for an early workout. While he was allegedly gone, his family was murdered.
He called a neighbor who was with the Columbia Police Department, and asked him to check on his family because he felt something was wrong, and no one was answering the phone. Since the police were aware of the threatening letters, this was not an odd request.
The police went to the house and found an open basement window. Inside they found walls spray painted with red, and the bodies of the family.
Chris was interrogated and investigated for the murder. Spouses are usually the prime suspect. It became obvious that there were marital problems and that there was an affair. The other woman was also questioned.
It is believed that Chris killed his family and set up the scene, before he left for the gym in Missouri.
Chris Coleman was arrested for the murder on May 19th. It took 2 years for the case to come to trial in Waterloo, Illinois, and lasted 9 days.
He was found guilty and sentenced to life without parole.
He was originally sent to Pontiac Prison in Illinois but was moved to Dodge Prison in Wisconsin due to safety concerns.
He has appealed his conviction several times, and still maintains his innocence.
The grave site of his family was in Chester, Illinois. But, they were moved to be closer to Sheri’s family near Chicago. There was a court battle by Chris’s parents to keep the grandkids near them. But a judge determined that a murderer should not have control over his victims remains. Chris would have also been buried in the same plot, next to the family he had killed.
When I write a true crime article I typically give my opinion on what I see about the case. What I see here is a terrible tragedy.
The family appears to be happy and well off. Things were good for them.
But, Chris’s travels with the ministry led him into situations where he was tempted to cheat. The devil whispers into our ears at the perfect times in order to destroy us. He seeks for nothing but to steal, kill and destroy.
Chris began an adulterous affair with a woman who was described as a friend of his wife, Sheri. They apparently started messaging each other and meeting each other long before the murders occurred. I can tell you that the freedom of text messaging and social media has opened many doors that should never have been opened. A spouse can be sitting right next to you and messaging a lover, without your knowledge.
Of course, the devil worked to make opportunities for this adultery to grow and once it happened, it opened doors to all kinds of demonic influence.
Do not forget that Chris worked for a ministry and his parents were preachers too. The devil often attacks those close to people who are working for God. That’s why there are rumors about the preachers daughter. She is under attack.
Chris’s cheating grew to a point where he was led to believe that he loved the other woman and wanted to have a life with her. Demonic suggestions perhaps?
But, what about his job? The ministry would fire him for cheating and possibly for divorce.
What about the kids, and custody and child support?
The demons might have whispered.
And Chris listened.
But, instead of ending the cheating. He decided to kill his family instead.
Another suggestion, given to him by demons?
What sort of father kills his children? What sort of husband kills his wife? Something was wrong with Chris.
He couldn’t lose his job and face court battles. The family courts everywhere in the United States has blood on its hands as far as I’m concerned. How many families and children have been killed to avoid custody and child support cases? Family law in America needs changed and these sorts of cases are why.
So, He planned the murder to try to blame an unknown person. He meticulously went about pretending there was a stalker. Just like the demons probably told him. He might have thought it was a great idea.
I understand that people do not believe in spiritual warfare and demonic forces. But, some things are easily understood when we see the dark forces which can lead us to do great damage when we listen to them.
It doesn’t shift blame. Chris is a murderer. He’s just a murderer who helped demons kill his family.
I think we can have psychological problems and do things in our lives that makes us more open or willing to listen to those voices.
But do not ignore the demons in the shadows when looking at these cases. They destroy the lives of everyone they touch.
Sources and Further Reading:
https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/the-coleman-triple-murder/19/
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/il-court-of-appeals/1688838.html
https://www.bnd.com/news/local/crime/article229291144.html
https://fox2now.com/news/warning-graphic-pictures-coleman-murder-evidence/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/man-accused-of-killing-family-texts-girlfriend-from-wifes-funeral/
https://www.foxnews.com/us/former-marine-found-guilty-in-wife-sons-murder-case
Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger.
Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/
Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/
Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisbunton
Read His Bible Studies on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/
Support the work for the cost of a Coffee
Support the work through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public
Read more True Crime on The Yard: Crime Blog
Follow us on:
Looking for a book to read? Try Our Bookstore.
If you love the work we do, Support The Yard through Patreon
Keep your kids safe with a Bark Phone. The safest phone for kids and teens. Check out details, pricing and more shopping through the affiliate button below.
Protect yourself and your loved ones with a Personal Alarm System. This alarm will go off scaring away an attacker and drawing attention to your plight. It can be used in conjunction with any other self defense tools you desire. When you’re being attacked you want people to see and know what’s going on. You can’t scream if you are being choked. But you can set this thing off. Check out details, pricing and more shopping through affiliate button below.
Secure your home with a Blink Camera System. They are easy to install and operate. Here’s a review on the camera and a post on the nightvision capabilities. Click the affiliate button below for pricing, details and to shop around.
Read more from The Yard
For Soraya (From “The Stoning of Soraya M.”)
Poetry by Shontay Luna By the time she realized who her husband was, it was too late. Maybe they loved each other though, in the beginning. But now, whispered lies disguised as truthful rumors are the soundtrack of the town’s daily activities. Scandals the audible snacks gossip mongers feed on. Who needs food with so…
Yes, Mama
Crime Fiction by London Baker His name was Big Tony and as for me, I was called Al Greco. Big Tony was sort of the boss, you see? He was a big deal back then, though I guess he still is now. But now isn’t that important. Back then is what matters. Back then I…
The Getback
Crime Fiction by Michael Downing Eddie Reid died sometime after midnight. Cool on the street. A legend. But once you’re dead, all that cool means nothing. Dead is dead, and dead don’t care who you were or what you did before the end. His death was violent, ugly, the kind of thing that gets people…
I am really stunned to see that even the soldiers are turned to crime. Not just because of their drive, but rather things like being underappreciated or frustration, it can even be the lasting trauma coming from the aforementioned career