Triple homicide in Columbia family has local ties
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The bodies of Sheri Coleman, 31, and her two sons, Garrett 11, and Gavin, 9, were discovered, murdered, by Columbia police officers around 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 5 at their residence located at 2854 Robert Drive within the subdivision Columbia Lakes Estates. Previous reports stated that the family was strangled but police are not releasing the cause of death at this time. Sheri's husband and Garrett and Gavin's father Chris Coleman, formerly of Chester, was at Gold's Gym in South County when he tried to call his wife and she didn't answer the phone. Coleman became concerned and decided to call in a wellness check on his wife and children. Neighbors said Coleman arrived at the residence shortly after the police and was seen flailing his arms and heard yelling. Investigators at the residence were seen searching trash cans in the immediate neighborhood.
Chris Coleman is a 1995 graduate of Chester High School. He is the son of Ron and Connie Coleman of Chester. Ron is the pastor at Grace Church Ministries in Chester.
It was reported, the family had been receiving threats for the last 6 months through notes left in their mailbox. Neighbors reported that the notes the Coleman family had been receiving dealt with Coleman's job. Their mailbox had also been vandalized. Coleman works as chief of security for Joyce Meyer Ministries. Meyer arrived in the subdivision just after 8:00 a.m. to console neighbors. Joyce Meyer Ministries issued this statement: This morning Joyce Meyer Ministries received news that Chris Coleman, a long time member of our ministry, experienced one of the greatest losses imaginable - the loss of his family. We have assured Chris that he has our full support, encouragement, and prayer during this time of immense grief.
"Chris Coleman is a very dear friend. Dave and I are grieving with him over this unexpected and devastating tragedy. Words are not enough. He knows that our love and sincerest prayers are with him. Chris has a long journey ahead of him, but we know that his faith is strong," Joyce Meyer said in the press release.
The family also had a previous interaction with Columbia Police when they called them to document some interaction between an unknown individual and themselves.
"There was some interaction between an unknown individual and them that was just suspicious in nature. We don't even know that it was a crime; they just contacted the police and wanted to document some incidents," said Deputy Commander Jeff Connor. "We're looking at anybody at this time; I'm not ruling out anybody. It's just too early; we're just a few hours into this investigation and we're not ready to out anybody," he added.
A source close to the investigation did confirm that the words "I told you this would happen" was spray painted inside the home.
In a press conference held Tuesday afternoon, the Major Case Squad, spoke to the media.
"The Columbia Police Department was called to this house just before 7:00 a.m. this morning; they then discovered the bodies shortly after that. (Columbia) Chief Edwards felt it was his responsibility to give the investigation the most he could, so he activated and authorized the use of the Major Case Squad (MCS). Since that time we gathered together with investigators and we have around 25 investigators working this crime," stated Connor.
Connor went on to state that the Illinois State Police is involved and they are currently working the homicide.
"As always, with something like this, we need the public's help right now. We don't have a suspect in custody and we're asking for the public's help," said Connor. "If anyone knows anything at all, please contact the Columbia Police Department at 1-618-281-5151."
Connor stated they were not going to discuss any motive, or any evidence at the scene. At the time of the press conference, the autopsies were in the process of being conducted. Since that time they have been completed, but authorities are not releasing the results due to the integrity of the investigation.
Chief Edwards went on to state the MCS will be in charge of the case from this point forward and that any and all information released will be through Major Connor and the MCS.
"At this time it is so early on and I don't want to speculate into any motive. If I go into random, then that means maybe there's a motive behind that; we really don't know," said Connor. "We have leads in this case and we are following them. We're doing all we can to find out what happened in this house."
Connor went on to confirm the prior police interaction at the Coleman home. Connor said, "I don't want people to think that's the only thing we're looking at. In an investigation of this magnitude you have to look at all different areas, but that is one of the things we are looking at."
"Part of the examination of the bodies will help us determine a timeline," said Connor. "…see if we can narrow down the time of death. There are just some things we cannot divulge at this tim," he added.
A camera could be seen affixed to the roof ceiling of the front porch of the Coleman home. It was reported that the camera was pointed at the mailbox in hopes of catching the individual responsible for leaving the threatening notes. When asked about the camera Connor said he would not elaborate if footage was retrieved or not. Connor did confirm that Coleman was interviewed by police Tuesday. He also stated that no suspects were in custody.
Garret and Gavin were students at Parkview Elementary School in Columbia. Garret was in the 4th grade and Gavin was in the 3rd grade. Both boys loved sports and played for the Columbia Blue Jay Football team.
Columbia school Superintendent Ed Settles said in a press release, "We are deeply saddened at the tragic news that two of our students and their mother were found deceased. We have worked close with law enforcement officials throughout the day to implement our emergency crisis plan. Parents were contacted to notify them of the situation and to coordinate the release of their children at the end of the school day."
"District 4 has made arrangements to provide counseling services to our students as they grieve the loss of their friends and classmates. We have met with our teachers and staff to prepare for the emotional trauma that students will experience in this situation."
"It is difficult for any of us to understand and comprehend this horrendous act of violence. On behalf of the Board of Education, administration, teachers and employees, we ask that you remember this family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."
On Thursday, investigators searched a stretch of highway along interstate 255 between the JB Bridge and Lindbergh. The MCS said during a Thursday press conference that they are making progress but no arrests have been made. They also said they want to make sure while they have custody of the home that they don't miss anything.
A visitation was held on Friday, May 8 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Grace Church Ministries in Chester where Coleman's father is the pastor. A private funeral was held on Saturday at Evergreen Cemetery; however, the bodies were not actually buried. Sheri's family obtained a court order to move the bodies to Chicago for a memorial service for family and friends in the Chicago area on Monday. The bodies were expected to be back in Chester on Tuesday.
A large crowd of community members turned out Sunday night for a candlelight vigil for the family in Columbia.
On Monday Chris Coleman, along with his attorney, came to the Columbia Police Department through a court order to be fingerprinted. Coleman has hired William and Arthur Margulis from St. Louis as his attorneys. Coleman walked into the police station around 2:00 p.m. and was inside the building for about an hour.
"He just came to give us his fingerprints; we had a court order to take his fingerprints. So his attorney brought him in; he cooperated in giving us his fingerprints," said Connor. "We're not prepared to say anybody is keyed in on a suspect. We're just still in the investigative stage of this and are still trying to determine who killed these three people."
When asked if his client was a suspect, his attorney said he did not know anything more than what the media knew and said he was not in the position to make any comments right now. The investigators released the home on Robert Drive back to Coleman and said the work there is now done. Police took down the crime tape, which means this house is no longer a crime scene.
"We've gathered all the evidence that we think we will ever be able to gather and we're confident that anything we needed, we have," Connor said.
Coleman was seen riding up to the home with his attorney. Coleman did not enter the house. He stayed sitting in the car for awhile, then he got into a car with his dad and drove off. Family members were the one's who entered the house and moved belongings out as detectives watched. Coleman's family spent a couple of hours at the home, leaving with 2 cars and a loaded trailer.
The MCS was in Chester on Monday in unmarked vehicles. The unmarked vehicles were seen around Grace Church and Coleman's parent's home.