Cristie Schoen Codd, who competed on the eighth season of Food Network Star, has been killed at the age of 38.
ADVERTISEMENT
The TV chef and her husband Joseph "JT" Codd were murdered in Leicester, NC, and what makes this incident even more devastating is the fact Cristie was five months pregnant with her first child, Us Weekly reported.
Family members of the couple reported them missing on Sunday, March 15, which was three days after authorities claim they died.
Cristie and Joseph's neighbor Robert Jason Owens was charged with two counts of first degree murder -- one count of murder of an unborn child as well as breaking and entering, and larceny, according to Us.
Buncombe County officials confirmed on Tuesday that Owens, 34, broke into the Codd's home on March 15 and stole jewelry, a laptop and a handgun. He allegedly faces three Class A murder charges that each carry a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole or even death.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Our thoughts go out to Cristie's family and friends during this difficult time," a Food Network representative said in a statement obtained by the magazine.
In 2002, Owens was also reportedly a primary suspect in Zebb Quinn's disappearance and presumed murder case, which remains unsolved.
The eighth season of Food Network Star aired in Summer 2012. Cristie, a Mississippi native, was the first contestant eliminated from the competition.
Both Cristie and her husband were anticipating the beginning of new film projects prior to their deaths, Us reported.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski