Cristie Schoen
Cristie M. Schoen Codd (September 3, 1976 — March 12, 2015)[3][1][7] was a Spanish-born chef. She came to prominence as a contestant in the eighth season of the Food Network series Food Network Star.
Cristie Schoen | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 3, 1976[1] |
| Died | (aged 38)[3] |
| Spouse |
Joseph "J.T." Codd
(m. 2014; their deaths 2015) |
| Culinary career | |
| Cooking style | Cajun cuisine[6] |
Early life
Cristie Schoen was born in Madrid, Spain.[2] She grew up cooking primarily Cajun cuisine with her father. Her father was in the U.S. Air Force and she moved around frequently, including stays in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.[6]
Food Network Star
In 2012,[3] it was announced that Schoen had been selected as a contestant on the eighth season of the Food Network series Food Network Star. On May 13, 2012, she became the first contestant of the season to be eliminated, which she attested to her strong passion for cooking coming across as "angry".[2] Following her appearance on the show, she stated to have remained close friends with fellow contestants Judson Allen, Josh Lyons and Kara Sigle.[2]
Personal life
Cristie's husband, J.T. Codd, was a key grip;[3][5] they married in 2014.[5] At the time of her death, Cristie was five months pregnant[8] with their first child, a girl, who was to be named Skylar.[5]
Death
Cristie and Joseph were reported missing on March 15, 2015, when their family was unable to reach them.[3][5] An investigation by police led to the arrest of local contractor Robert Jason Owens, who was charged with their murders. Owens is notable for being a person of interest in the disappearance of Zebb Quinn in 2000.[3][5][7][8] To date, no motive has been established for the murders; and while Owens reportedly admitted that he "struck and killed Codd" in the manner of vehicular homicide, the exact nature of Schoen's murder has not been released.[5] Authorities undertook a search of Owens's property; the couple's remains were found in his woodstove.[8] It was later concluded that the couple had been killed on March 12.[3]
Owens' double-wide trailer burned down on March 24, 2015. On August 4, it was reported that the state of North Carolina would be seeking the death penalty for Owens if he is convicted.[7]
Owens later admitted killing Cristie and Joseph Codd in March 2015. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of dismembering human remains. In a plea deal, his attorneys reached with North Carolina's Assistant Capital Attorney Victoria Jayne and Buncombe County's District Attorney Todd Williams, Owens was sentenced on April 27, 2017, to spend a minimum of 59.5 years to a maximum of 74.5 years in prison.[9]
References
- "Cristie Schoen Codd Obituary - St. Paul, MN | TwinCities.com". Legacy.com. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
- Donald, Stuart (May 14, 2012). "Food Network Star Exit Interview: Cristie Schoen | Wannabe TV Chef". Wannabe TV Chef. WordPress.com. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- Corneau, Allison (March 17, 2015). "Pregnant Food Network Star Cristie Schoen Codd, Husband Murdered - Us Weekly". Us Weekly. Wenner Media. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- Shaw, Amanda (March 20, 2015). "Sheriff releases new details in Leicester couple's deaths - FOX Carolina 21". Fox Carolina. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- Truesdell, Jeff (March 27, 2015). "Food Network Star Cristie Schoen and J.T. Codd Opened Hearts to Accused Killer : People.com". People. Time Inc. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- "Cristie Schoen, Food Network Star Season 8 Finalist". Food Network. Scripps Networks Interactive. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- "State seeks death penalty in murder of Food Network contestant Cristie Codd and husband JT Codd - CBS News". CBS News. CBS Corporation. August 4, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- Sutton, Joe; Karimi, Faith (March 21, 2015). "Food Network case: Remains found in suspect's woodstove - CNN.com". CNN. Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- Man pleads guilty to murder of pregnant Food Network star, husband