Pregnant Food Network Star Contestant and Husband Found Murdered
Cristie Schoen Codd, a contestant on season eight of Food Network Star, and her husband, JT Codd, were found dead Monday in Leicester, NC. Robert Jason Owens, 36, a neighbor and contractor the couple had hired to work on their home, was arrested by police Monday for their murder. Cristie Codd was five months pregnant.
In addition to appearing on Food Network Star, Cristie Codd, 38, worked as a chef and caterer on film sets. (One of her last jobs, NBC News reports, was on the set of the Will Smith movie Focus.) JT Codd, 45, was a key grip for films and TV. The couple's family reported them missing this past Sunday after both failed to show up to start work on new film sets.
Fox Carolina reports that Owens had broken into the couple's home Sunday and stole a laptop, jewelry, and a handgun—the news station also reports that Owens was a suspect in the still unsolved disappearance of 18-year-old Zeb Quinn, who has been missing since 2000.
Police have not stated a motive in the Codd's killing; Owens has been charged with two counts of first degree murder, one count of murder of an unborn child, breaking and entering, and larceny after breaking and entering.
