Summary of "Sheri Coleman // 499" Episode - Going West: True Crime

Podcast Information:

• Title: Going West: True Crime
• Host/Author: Dark West Productions (Hosts: Franklin Becker and Dahlvette Quince)
• Description: Franklin Becker and Dahlvette Quince discuss haunting details of different disappearance and murder cases week by week. New episodes released every Tuesday and Friday.
• Episode: Sheri Coleman // 499
• Release Date: May 2, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 499 of Going West: True Crime, hosts Franklin Becker and Dahlvette Quince explore the chilling and tragic case of Sheri Coleman and her two sons, Garrett and Gavin, who were brutally murdered in May 2009. This episode delves into the complex dynamics of the Coleman family, unraveling the sequence of events that led to the horrifying crimes and the subsequent investigation that implicated Sheri's husband, Chris Coleman.

Background of the Coleman Family

Sheri Coleman, born Sherry Weiss on July 3, 1977, hailed from Berwyn, Illinois, and later moved to Largo, Florida, at age 10. Known for her vivacious personality, Sheri was described as the "life of the party." In February 1997, while serving in the Air Force’s K9 unit in Quantico, Virginia, she met Chris Coleman, a Marine from Chester, Illinois. Their rapid courtship culminated in a surprise marriage on August 8, 1997, just six months after dating—a decision that raised eyebrows within both families.

Ron Coleman (Chris's father) [06:31]: "She was a worldly little girl, little short shorts, tattoo on her leg. Not the person we thought he'd be with."

Despite initial reservations, Sheri adapted quickly to her new evangelical Christian surroundings, converting to align with her husband's strict religious upbringing. The couple moved to Chicago to meet Chris's parents and later to Columbia, Illinois, where Chris secured a lucrative position at Joyce Meyer Ministries.

Marital Struggles and Chris's Affair

Behind the facade of a perfect family, cracks began to appear in Sheri and Chris's marriage. Friends and neighbors observed that Chris was distant and authoritarian, while Sheri remained warm and loving at home. Over time, Chris expressed dissatisfaction with their marriage, yearning for the free-spirited woman he once loved. This discontent led to an extramarital affair with Sheri's high school best friend, Tara Lintz, beginning around the fall of 2008.

Chris Coleman [14:01]: "I'm making 100 grand a year, and I've gotta drive around in a clunker. We're so far in credit card debt."

The affair coincided with a series of threatening emails directed at the Coleman family and Joyce Meyer Ministries, adding layers of tension and suspicion to the situation.

Threatening Emails and Suspicion

Starting in November 2008, Chris began receiving menacing emails and handwritten letters threatening the safety of his family unless Joyce Meyer ceased her preaching activities. The threats became increasingly explicit, with messages like:

Threatening Email [19:02]:
"If I can't get to Joyce, then I will get to someone close to her. If I can't get to him, then I will kill his wife and kids."

Despite the severity of these threats, Chris dismissed them, declining offers for additional security. His anxiety grew as the messages continued, leading him to seek help from his neighbor, Detective Sergeant Justin Barlow.

The Night of the Murders

On the night before the murders, Chris worked out at the gym—a rare occurrence for him. Early the next morning, he left for the gym again, intending to wake his wife upon departure. However, he received no response to his calls and texts, raising his concern given the recent threats.

When Chris arrived home, he found police swarming his residence. Detective Barlow had already entered the house through a broken window. Inside, Sheri and their two sons were found dead, each deceased by strangulation.

Detective Sergeant Justin Barlow [25:57]:
"They didn't make it, Chris, they didn't make it."

The scene was chaotic, with red spray paint messages like "punished" and "I am always watching" appearing throughout the home. Forensic analysis later revealed that Sheri had put up a fight, resulting in visible injuries, while the boys showed no signs of struggling, indicating they were likely asleep during the attack.

Investigation and Arrest

The investigation quickly turned towards Chris Coleman. Key evidence included:

1. Handwriting Analysis:
   Experts matched the spray-painted messages to handwriting samples from Chris.

2. Email Forensics:
   Emails posing as threats were traced back to Chris’s work computer. A forensic linguist noted peculiar mistakes in the threatening emails that mirrored Chris’s known writing errors.

3. Purchase Records:
   A receipt for a can of Apple Red spray paint was found on Chris’s credit card, matching the spray paint used in the messages.

4. Affair Evidence:
   Testimony from Tara Lintz revealed a prolonged and serious affair, complete with explicit texts and photos, establishing a clear motive for Chris’s desire to escape his marriage.

On May 19, 2009, Chris was formally charged and arrested for the murders of Sheri, Garrett, and Gavin Coleman.

Trial and Conviction

During the trial, evidence against Chris was overwhelming:

• Forensic Evidence:
  The handwriting match and email forensics strongly linked Chris to the threatening messages and the murders.

• Testimonies:
  Friends and Tara Lintz provided testimonies about Chris’s affair and his deteriorating marriage.

• Circumstantial Evidence:
  The timing of the threats, the spray paint purchase, and the nature of the murders all pointed towards Chris.

Despite his parents’ unwavering support and attempts to defend him, the jury found Chris guilty. On May 5, 2011, exactly two years after the murders, Chris Coleman was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutor [46:42]:
"When the killer went to each of those little boys' rooms... Why would they?"

Aftermath and Reflections

The Coleman case left the community in shock, grappling with the betrayal by someone once seen as a model family man. Sheri’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Joyce Meyer Ministries, alleging negligence in recognizing the signs of Chris’s instability. However, the lawsuit was eventually dismissed.

Chris’s parents continued to defend his innocence, adding to the community’s frustration and disbelief.

Ron Coleman [51:58]:
"She never did compliment him. That's why he was so attracted to this Tara."

Franklin Becker and Dahlvette Quince expressed their anger and frustration towards Chris and his parents’ hypocrisy, highlighting the tragic loss and the destructive nature of deceit within a seemingly perfect family.

Conclusion

Episode 499 of Going West: True Crime presents a detailed and emotionally charged exploration of the Coleman family murders. Through meticulous analysis and compelling storytelling, Franklin Becker and Dahlvette Quince shed light on the complexities of marital strife, betrayal, and the dark consequences of hidden truths. This case serves as a haunting reminder of how appearances can be deceiving and the dire outcomes that can result from unaddressed personal conflicts.

Notable Quotes:

• Ron Coleman [06:31]:
  "She was a worldly little girl, little short shorts, tattoo on her leg. Not the person we thought he'd be with."

• Chris Coleman [14:01]:
  "I'm making 100 grand a year, and I've gotta drive around in a clunker. We're so far in credit card debt."

• Detective Sergeant Justin Barlow [25:57]:
  "They didn't make it, Chris, they didn't make it."

• Prosecutor [46:42]:
  "When the killer went to each of those little boys' rooms... Why would they?"

• Ron Coleman [51:58]:
  "She never did compliment him. That's why he was so attracted to this Tara."

Note: This summary focuses solely on the main content of the episode, omitting advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections as per the guidelines.