48 Hours – “Messages and Threats”

CBS News | October 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This gripping episode of “48 Hours” investigates the brutal murders of Sherry Coleman and her two young sons in Columbia, Illinois in 2009. The story peels back chilling layers: from eerie threats tied to a powerful religious ministry, to a supposedly perfect family, to a disturbing double life, culminating in a tense and emotional murder trial. Through meticulous reporting, first-hand interviews, and key evidence, correspondents unpack how suspicion gradually turned inward towards Chris Coleman—the family’s husband, father, head of security for televangelist Joyce Meyer, and ultimately, the convicted killer.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Discovery of the Crime Scene

• Critical Moment:

  • Detective Sgt. Justin Barlow, a neighbor, describes the initial entry:
    • “I got the phone call from my neighbor Christopher Coleman...He said, I'm calling Sherry. Nobody's answering the phone. She should be up. He was concerned from the threats that they'd been receiving.” [00:46]
  • Barlow recalls the chilling atmosphere:
    • “A lot of Helter Skelter type of message. Manson style spray paintings on the wall saying ‘punished.’ It started with email threats, moved to written threats.” [01:38]

• Scene Details:

  • Entry found via basement window.
  • Hateful messages spray-painted in the house, including over Garrett’s body—direct references to the earlier threats. [06:14]
  • All three victims—Sherry (mother), Garrett (11), and Gavin (9)—strangled in their beds.

• Community Shock:

  • “If you don't believe in evil, I hope you do now.” [03:28]
  • The murders deeply rattled Columbia, “a small, quiet suburb outside of St. Louis.” [06:43]

2. The Threats and Investigation Begins

• Background:

  • Chris Coleman had reported escalating threats tied to his high-profile work as Joyce Meyer’s head of security.
  • Threats warned: “If I can't get to Joyce, then I will get to someone close to her.” [10:26]
  • Hand-delivered, anonymous, and chillingly specific, culminating in: “Stop today or else. I know your schedule...I'm always watching.” [11:17]

• Neighbors and Police Response:

  • Extra patrols and surveillance installed, including a camera on the mailbox. [11:31]
  • Despite surveillance, the killer entered undetected.

• Investigative Pressure:

  • “There was a lot of fear that there was somebody out there killing families and who was going to be next.” [12:17]

3. Focus on Chris Coleman

• Behavior Post-Crime:

  • Detective Barlow notes Coleman's lack of curiosity:
    • “Just the lack of reaction...the lack of curiosity of what’s going on.” [16:13]
  • Coleman never asked how his family died. [16:09]

• Coleman's Account:

  • Asserts he left early for the gym; called Sherry repeatedly that morning. [07:51]
  • Claims no affair, but then volunteers information about “Tara” in Florida. [16:57]
  • Tara Lintz was Sherry’s old high school friend and Coleman’s mistress.

• The Affair:

  • Tara provided police with emails, texts, photos—even wedding plans. [18:22-19:36]
  • “She, honest to God, believed that he was going to leave his wife and two children.” [19:52]

4. Mounting Evidence and Red Flags

• Crime Scene Oddities:

  • Entry signs: basement window unlocked, no forced entry. [22:22]
  • No strangers recorded on surveillance; Coleman's own recorder missing. [22:55]
  • Coleman had scratches on his arms (he claimed from a satellite dish); police believed consistent with a struggle. [23:12-23:50]

• Timing and Technology:

  • Date of Coleman's affair start: November 5, 2008; threats began nine days later. [24:44-24:55]
  • Police digital forensics: threatening emails were traced back to Coleman’s own laptop. [35:38]

• Parent Reactions:

  • Coleman's parents insist on innocence, “He’s always been a real gentle person. Kind of quiet.” [20:15]
  • Family and community members feel betrayed as details surface.

5. Handwriting and Charges

• Key Evidence:
  • “The crime scene led [investigators] coming back and saying that the handwriting found on the wall matches up to the handwriting exemplar that Christopher Coleman gave at the Columbia Police Department.” [25:55]
  • After two weeks, Coleman charged with three counts of first-degree murder. [26:06]

6. The Trial and Verdict

• Prosecution Strategy:

  • Motive: “I believe he became so enraptured by Tara Lentz, but he couldn’t get divorced...because he’d lose his hundred thousand dollar job with Joyce Meyer ministries.” [30:42]
  • Sherry had told friends: “If anything happened to her, Chris did it.” [31:53]

• Jury’s Struggle:

  • “People who turn out to be jurors have to accept the fact that parents kill their kids. It’s just hard to accept.” [28:56]
  • Initial vote: 7-5 not guilty, but all “thought he did it”—they were hung up on circumstantial evidence. [37:42-38:01]
  • Jury’s turning point: a photo of Chris and Tara proved the affair began before he claimed, discrediting his honesty. [38:25]

• Verdict:

  • After 15 hours: “The verdict was guilty.” [39:26]
  • Sentenced to life in prison (state death penalty recently repealed).

7. Aftermath and Reflections

• Coleman’s Continued Denials:

  • “I absolutely love my wife and my kids. And this, you know, is not me.” [40:24]
  • When pressed: “That was a lie. I lied to Tara about [serving divorce papers].” [41:09]

• Community and Family:

  • Community built memorials, raised funds for domestic violence victims, plan Little League field in the boys’ honor. [41:54-42:38]
  • Friends and family struggled with forgiveness, haunted by their loss.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Horror of the Scene:

  • Detective Barlow: “I remember the smell of spray paint… messages saying ‘punished.’” [01:36]
  • “If you don't believe in evil, I hope you do now.” [03:28]

• On Suspicion Turning to Coleman:

  • “Just the lack of curiosity… sticks out in my mind.” — Det. Barlow [16:13]
  • “Chris never asked how his wife and children died.” [16:09]

• On the Affair’s Impact:

  • “She, honest to God, believed that he was going to leave his wife and two children.” — Investigator [19:36]

• On Motive:

  • “Greed, sex, selfishness, and narcissism. Chris Coleman decided he wanted a new life and his family was in the way.” — [28:20]

• On Sherry’s Fear:

  • “She told me that if anything happened to her, Chris did it.” — Kathy LaPlante [31:53]

• On the Jury’s Realization:

  • “If he could lie about this [the affair’s timeline], he’s lying about everything.” [38:25]

• Coleman’s Denial:

  • “I absolutely love my wife and my kids. And this, you know, is not me.” [40:24]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Discovery of the Crime Scene, Threats, and Community Impact: [00:46]–[14:43]
• Suspicions Toward Coleman and Affair Revealed: [16:04]–[20:39]
• Critical Forensic and Digital Evidence: [22:06]–[25:46], [35:35]–[36:22]
• Handwriting Evidence Ties to Chris: [25:55]
• Motive and Preparation for Trial: [28:20]–[33:51]
• Trial Strategies and Jury Deliberations: [34:07]–[39:26]
• Verdict, Sentencing, Aftermath, Reflections: [39:26]–[42:38]

Conclusion

This “48 Hours” episode masterfully traces the tragic arc from seemingly random, external threats facing a wholesome American family to the dark unmasking of Chris Coleman’s secret life and the prosecutor’s chilling case for murder. Through the testimonies of friends, family, detectives, and even Coleman himself, the episode probes not just the crime but the ripples of betrayal and loss that haunted Columbia, Illinois. In the end, justice for Sherry, Garrett, and Gavin was achieved—but the memory of what was lost lingers powerfully, a testament to the show’s signature deep-dive into the anatomy of tragedy and the search for truth.