One of America's darkest crimes was so depraved that cops investigating it were left traumatized and needed therapy. Channon Christian, 21, and Christopher Newsom, 23, were murdered in brutal fashion in 2007. The couple, from Knoxville, Tennessee, had been dating for three months and were planning to go out for dinner with friends on January 6. However, they never showed up and could not be reached the next day, when Channon failed to appear for work.
Discovery of the Bodies
The following day, a railway worker found Christopher's naked corpse, which showed signs of sexual assault. He had been shot in the spine and set on fire. His wrists were tied, and garments had been wrapped around his skull and secured with bootlaces. Christopher's remains were in such an appalling state that his heartbroken parents were urged not to view them. Two days later, Channon's corpse was found stuffed inside a wheelie bin at a house displaying a sale notice. A post-mortem examination later revealed that she had been encased in plastic sacks and dumped in the container while she was still breathing.
The Horrific Ordeal
The investigation revealed that Channon and Christopher had been carjacked, kidnapped, sexually assaulted, tortured, and ultimately murdered. Christopher was taken to a railway track, shot, and set on fire. Channon suffered two days of unspeakable torment. She was repeatedly assaulted, tied to a chair, and subjected to horrific sexual abuse. The perpetrators poured bleach into her body, wrapped bags around her, and forced her into a bin while she was still conscious. She eventually suffocated to death.
Suspects and Convictions
Police were led to her remains after finding her deserted car, which revealed fingerprints from Lemaricus Davidson. Her body was found near Davidson's house, making him a prime suspect. Cops then identified additional suspects, including his brother Letalvis Cobbins and their associate George Thomas. Eric Boyd, a fourth suspect, was arrested while Cobbins' girlfriend Vanessa Coleman also emerged as a person of interest.
Police said the couple had endured sexual assault at a residence where they had been forcibly taken. Davidson, Cobbins, Boyd, and Thomas transported Christopher to the railway tracks, where he was shot dead. During the early morning hours, he was forced into a vehicle while gagged and blindfolded and then dragged to the tracks. Thomas was compelled to shoot first, the bullet piercing his neck, before a second round struck his back. Davidson then discharged a third shot, hitting the victim in the head, before the assailants doused him in petrol and ignited him. The gang then returned to the residence, where Channon was abused before her attackers tried to eliminate evidence using bleach.
Sentences
Davidson, Cobbins, and Thomas were found guilty on numerous counts, including murder. Davidson, thought to be the ringleader, was sentenced to death, while the others received life imprisonment. Boyd was later convicted of murder, robbery, kidnapping, and rape-related offenses and handed two life sentences. Coleman received 53 years for her involvement in Channon's death. She had stayed with Channon while the others escorted Christopher to the tracks. A later retrial saw her sentence reduced to 35 years behind bars.
