UBM– An individual from North Carolina who was responsible for the shooting death of his girlfriend a day after she ended their relationship, as well as the shooting death of her parents in front of their grandson, who was ten years old, will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
According to a press release issued by the prosecution, Isaac Nathaniel Christenbury, who is 28 years old, was given three life sentences in prison on Wednesday for the murders of Jenna Cox, who was 28 years old, as well as her parents, Charles and Cyndi Cox, who were both 61 years old. As soon as Christenbury entered a guilty plea to three charges of first-degree murder, he was promptly sentenced.
During the proceedings, members of the family, including the young boy, provided statements.
According to the Hickory Daily Record, Paula Brown, the sister of Cyndi Cox, referred to Christenbury as a heartless murderer in a letter that was read by the prosecutor’s office.
In the statement, it was written, “I hope he experiences that day over and over again in his mind.” “The actions that he took toward [Cyndi Cox] and her only son and grandson who are still alive completely wrecked their world. There are scars on their bodies that will never heal. And what that young child, who was only ten years old, witnessed demonstrates how icy and cruel he is.
The homicides took place on October 22 at a residence in Maiden, which is located approximately 44 miles northeast of Charlotte.
At the same time as Jenna Cox’s son was watching, the defendant opened fire and killed both Charles and Cyndi Cox. In spite of placing the pistol on the boy’s head, the defendant allowed him to escape. After that, Christenbury removed Jenna Cox from the domestic sphere.
The young youngster rushed to a neighbor, who then dialed first aid.
“The next thing I know, the little boy came up between mine and my husband’s car, up to the walk, grabbing a hold of me, and telling me that his grandparents just got shot in the head and killed,” the neighbor said at the time to the local NBC affiliate in North Carolina.
Shell casings, a rifle magazine, and multiple gunshot holes were discovered by first responders at the residence, according to the prosecution. Additionally, they discovered a trail of blood that led to a particular set of stairs. It was at the very top of the steps where the body of Charles Cox was discovered. A body belonging to his wife was discovered in the dining room. Both had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, one of which was also to the head. It was discovered that Jenna Cox’s body was located outside, close to a swimming pool. She had also been shot numerous times, including in the head, and she had been injured.
Jesus Christenbury also dialed 911 while he was running away.
In that conversation, the defendant indicated that he drove away from the scene, acknowledged that there was a gunshot, and stated that he would like to give himself in, according to the 36th Prosecutorial Assistant District Attorney Howard Wellons. A statement made by the defendant was as follows: “I feel bad for what I did, but I don’t feel bad for why I did it.” Please assist me.'”
Christenbury has stated to detectives that he left work on that particular day, drove to the residence, and then shot and killed all three of the victims while he was in custody. Investigators were informed by the defendant’s parents that Cox had severed his connection with Christenbury the day before, and that his phone showed him to be in the vicinity of the gunshot location at the time of the incident.
As a result of the boy’s courageous testimony in court regarding the things that the defendant took away from him by killing his mother and grandparents, the prosecution expressed their gratitude to the defense.
Judge Donald R. Cureton of the Mecklenburg County Superior Court made the following statement to the young man: “You have a strength that I could only hope to have.” Not just for yourself, but also for those who lost their lives as a result of such a dreadful, horrible crime, I wish that you reach your full potential and become the finest version of yourself that you possibly can be.
