Police know who killed Joyce Meyer’s security guard’s family www.privateofficer.com
“Our investigation reveals who is responsible for these deaths,” said Maj. Jeff Connor, deputy commander of the Major Case Squad, adding it was “one person.”
He said he is “still anticipating charges in the future.”
Connor would not say whether that suspect is Christopher Coleman, whose wife, Sheri, 31, and sons Garett, 11, and Gavin, 9, were found dead in their bedrooms last week.
Police have kept a very obvious surveillance on Coleman, virtually camping out near his parents’ home in Chester, Ill., where he has stayed. The victims were buried Wednesday at Evergreen Cemetery in Chester, and Coleman was at the grave site. Later, detectives followed Coleman and his parents to what a lawyer said was a doctor’s appointment in Cape Girardeau for his mother.
On Monday, police got a court order to take fingerprints from Coleman, a former Marine and now a security officer for the worldwide Joyce Meyer Ministries, based in Jefferson County.
But Wednesday afternoon, officers watching the house in Chester abruptly left town. Connor said they would stop monitoring Coleman’s movements.
The Post-Dispatch reported Wednesday that police have interviewed a woman in Largo, Fla., whom they said was Coleman’s girlfriend. The woman, a friend of Sheri Coleman’s since at least high school and onetime hostess at a men’s club, has not responded to messages left at her parents’ home and current workplace, where she is a cocktail waitress.
Coleman’s lawyers have declined to comment on whether he had a girlfriend. Sheri Coleman’s relatives have said they were unaware of an affair.
Connor would not discuss it, except to confirm that police had been to Florida.
He said investigators presented their evidence Wednesday to Monroe County State’s Attorney Kris Reitz. “It was decided at this time to defer charges until further forensics (testing) comes back, and/or further interviews, documents, reports,” the detective said.
Reitz told a reporter later Wednesday, “I can’t talk about the progress of the investigation. I don’t have any comment beyond that.”
Without witnesses, police have been left to try to build a circumstantial case based on various factors, such as time of death.
Officials assured neighbors from the start that the victims appeared to have been specifically targeted.
Christopher Coleman had complained of work-related threats, but police would not give details.
Connor, of the Granite City police, said the Major Case Squad will decide today whether to continue or turn the investigation back to Columbia police. The squad is a multi-agency cooperative that provides short-term manpower and expertise to small police departments.
By law, Reitz has two ways to bring charges: He can file a complaint and leave a judge to decide in a public preliminary hearing if the evidence is sufficient for trial. Or he can take the evidence to a grand jury, which would decide in secret if a trial is warranted. Either way, Illinois has a rigid timetable if someone under charges demands a speedy trial.
The case has drawn national attention to a mainly rural county that rarely sees a murder, let alone three at once. Monroe County’s last big murder case came a few years ago.
In October 2004, Reitz filed a first-degree murder charge against the husband of Twila Wiley, 21, a pregnant woman found shot to death 14 months earlier in a park at Waterloo. The prosecution cited her extramarital affair as a motive, but the jury acquitted the man after the defense argued that her death was really a suicide.
Police said Christopher Coleman left home at 2854 Robert Avenue about 5:45 a.m. May 5 to work out at a gym in St. Louis County, and called police shortly before 7 a.m. because he could not reach his family by phone. Officers found the bodies. Neighbors said police told them the victims were strangled.
Connor said detectives have focused a search along a stretch of Interstate 255 near the Jefferson Barracks Bridge, not mentioning that it would be Coleman’s route to the gym.
“We believe there was evidence discarded along this route,” he explained, but did not say what.
Connor also said a window was found open in the back of the house, with no sign that it was forced.
Neither Coleman nor his immediate family members have spoken publicly about the crime.
Derek Doiron, a longtime family friend, said Coleman’s parents are standing behind their son and do not believe he had anything to do with the slayings. Doiron is associate pastor at Grace Church in Chester, where Chris Coleman’s father, Ronald Coleman, is a minister.
“There is still somebody who is capable of murder still out there,” Doiron said.
He emphasized that he is not a spokesman for the church or family, but said he talks frequently with them.
“It’s just been very difficult for the family,” he said. “That’s the side you don’t see or you don’t hear. They are breaking down. … Just because you don’t see them crying doesn’t mean they don’t hurt.”
Doiron said investigators have not shared any details of the case with the Colemans. “It’s been a week and we don’t have any information,” he said.
He said that while some seem to be pointing a finger at Christopher Coleman, the family believes the victims were targeted by an outsider. He said he believes Coleman is not capable of such acts.
“Look at his history and the things that he’s done in his lifetime,” Doiron said. “He’s got an exemplary record.”
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Like Scott Peterson, and that other scum the “cop” Peterson, this Coleman guy seems emotionless…. Just look at his beautiful little family ! How anybody could do this is a mystery. Coleman looks guilty as sin to me…
The media makes him look like he did it. I don’t think he did maybe the girlfriend got someone to do it.you can never trust the other woman.
I wonder if the girlfriend did this. That would explain why he called the police when he was on the way home and didn’t get an answer.
I just heard about this story. It sickens me to know that someone so close to a very motivated lady such as Joyce Meyer, could have done this. And I believe he did it. No one calls to ask the police to check on their family. He did it before he left, all over a woman. Its sickening, and what is really bad is people thinks that killing another is ok. Where is this world going? But Like the Word says in Matthews everyone will become selfish, and lovers of themself. Its sickening. HE DID IT! Donna he did it, the lady in Florida didn’t care about him, in her job…………her job doesn’t allow her to care about one man to that extent.
You talk like he did it. No one has even been charged yet but you have already made up your minds from the media coveraqe. I would hate to have you on a jury…………………..
If he did not do it why go get lawyered up? Sometimes is very fishy about this. He probably had someone to kill them for a woman and he’s was employed to one of the largest televised ministries in the World. Nice going Chris. He’s guilty – why would someone pick this family out of millions’ of families to kill the wife and children EXCEPT someone that will GAIN from this. He sickens me. Living a double-life. He’s scum. Visiting the girlfriend in Florida while working for the ministry – a very stand up guy and you wonder why the media has already convicted him?
All I have to say, to the people who don’t think he’s guilty, is this……If you left your house and went to go work out 10 to 15 minutes away from your home, tried to call home and could reach anyone, what would YOU do?? A. Take the quick 10 minute trip back home to see if everything is ok or B. Call the police to check on your family??? I think that the average person would jump in their car and drive home. It’s not like he was hours from home. Plus, he said he was calling to make sure his sons were getting ready for school. Was his wife, who I am sure was there every morning before school, not capable of getting her boys ready?? Plus, police found a glove linked to the crime along the route the dad would have taken to the gym. I am not saying this guy did the crime, since I really don’t know, but I feel in my gut that he did it based on what we know.
You know, I am a christian and I also attend church at Grace Ministries. This case deeply effects me. But, you know there is one sad thing beyond the tragic deaths of these three great people. It is why I hate the media! They have already portrayed Chris as guilty and so everyone just believes it. Where is the optimism in people? First of all, the family had been getting death threats and they were so scared that they had reported it to the police just to document it. So, why would Chris call the police? I guess because of the death threats…right? And, he did take the 10 min trip home. If you paid attention to the stuff on the media you would have also read that Christ called the police and then headed home. That way not only was he headed there, but so were the police. Chris routinely called to check on his family and to tell him he loved them, I am sure. It is not a crime to call and check on how your family is doing and tell them you love them before they go off to school or work. In fact, I think that is what MOST families do. Obviously the glove is the only evidence that might make Chris shady. But, if you think about it…..why would Chris (who is not dumb) throw a glove out on his way to the gym, call the police saying he was at the gym, that would be stupid. That would be the first place they would look! Lots of people are simply going by what the media is publishing as a sign to the fact that he COMMITTED the crime. What happened to innocent until proven guilty? But, that doesn’t exist in our country anymore. That is alright because my God is triumphant and he will show the world who the real killer is. It is sad that people stood outside the jail just to yell at him babykiller. These are the true criminals. He is a father in grieving…! So, when he is found innocent, will they feel guilty for only adding to his pain? NO! So who is the true criminal here? It is our judgemental heartless society. What about Chris’s family? What about his father and mother? They are grieving too and now they have to watch the world tear apart their son. Let’s not forget that there are two families suffering here. We have Sheri’s family and Chris’s family. They both have lost three people at one time. Two of them children! What a tragedy and I can’t even imagine the pain. My heart goes out to you Ron and Connie! I love you guys and I stand behind Chris and Joyce Meyer Minstries and Grace church the whole way no matter what! God will prevail!
I would like to reply to the christian lady I am also a Christian and I believe that you are correct in we cannot judge becuase we don’t know all the facts, but every since OJ Simpson trial these husbands just think they can get rid of there wifes and I feel justice needs to be done to these guys they just cant get away with it. My feeling is because of the fact he was having an affair the man probably is guilty because he wanted to be with his mistress, my question is why is a man that is having an affair with another woman in a Christian Ministry for God. This is really a bad testimony for the Joyce Meyers Ministry to have someone like that in the ministry, I know many Christian People have fallen into sin but he needs to be accounted for his sin. It is possible that he did it got in his car and call the police so the police could find them and he tell them he had just left them and they were ok, so in 10 minutes time upon calling the police his family is dead does that really make sense, that means he leaves for work, calls the police in 1o minutes to check his family and they are dead, I feel sorry for him and all familes involved but God is the only one that knows whether he did it or not and if he did I would not want to be in his shoes at all. God will prevail.
Pak31: I agree, I feel he did it too, but that does not make him guilty. Too many people on here are declaring him guilty. People rush to judgment way to fast. What if it were you????????????? and you were not guilty but circumstantial evidence was making it look like you were? I’ve been accused of things I’ve never done before (as probably everyone has) and it really looked like I did it, but I hadn’t. I would get “lawyered up” if I was accused of something like this ESPECIALLY if I was innocent. Police look to solve these cases as quick as possible and they are much too quick to put innocent people in prison just for their careers or to close a case.
AMEN! If I was accused of murder, whether I did it or not…I would hire a lawyer too! This does not make you guilty, this only makes you smart! One thing is important..there is always TWO sides to a story. We do not have any side but the media! So, please dont’ rush to judge anyone just yet. We don’t even know he was having an affair. SHE LIVES IN FLORIDA! Obviously if he was leaving, his wife would have noticed. So, how was he having an affair? Over the internet? He might just have been friendly with her, too friendly. This does not add up to an affair!
May god bless all that are involed because much pray is needed for all the remaining Family members Including Joyce Myers family and ministry
Don’t forget Grace Ministries. Chris’s parents are the pastors there. Pray for everyone involved, the families, the police, the media, the minstries….that God will do swift justice here! That nobody’s minds will be clouded when it comes to this. And, that God will give peace to all who are suffering in this!
The case is already closed. This guy never called his wife parents to tell them there daughter and grandkids were dead. To the family. “Don’t support a MURDERER”
Being home sick today I decided to catch up on the news. I listened, I saw the family pictures and I got a minute to see his face on tv…..I have no opinion at this time. But would like to add my two cents. Plans take time, this guy could have specifically signed on to work at Joyce and Dave Ministry “as the position would look righteous”. This gal and he have been around each other since the wife’s high school days…..? Murder of the children BREAKS my heart….a clean break; someone had a clean plan for all three without much battle to die. The bible says these events will happen more and more in THE LAST OF DAYS. Grown men in politics crave money and power. We don’t really KNOW are neighbors, employees and friends do we. I pray Psalms 91 over all involved and ask God to bring justice on earth as God WILL provide justice in the afterlife.