Cristie Schoen Codd, who appeared on Season 8 of “Food Network Star,” and her husband were murdered in North Carolina. She was five months pregnant. Their former contractor has been arrested and charged with the crime.
Family members reported the Food Network contestant and her husband Joseph “J.T.” Codd missing Sunday from their home in Leicester, according to WSPA-TV. The two were supposed to go on separate business trips out of state over the weekend, but neither showed up for work.
Robert Jason Owens, 36, was arrested Monday and charged with three counts of murder, as well as breaking and entering and larceny, according to NBC News. Owens is a contractor who lives in the Leicester area and was hired by the Codds to work on their home.
The arrest warrant states Owens “unlawfully, willfully and feloniously did of malice afterthought kill and murder” the Codds on March 12, WLOS reported. Additionally, he is accused of stealing a laptop, jewelry and a Glock handgun.
Schoen Codd was a caterer for film sets and her husband worked behind-the-scenes handling equipment as a grip.
“She was an amazing, amazing, lovely woman,” television producer Julie Helton told the Asheville Citizen-Times. “She was a phenomenal cook, and she always invited people over to have dinner and taste some good Southern food. She made some of the most amazing birthday cakes, and her laugh was contagious. Just the two of them together were just so happy and loving. They were just amazing friends.”
Schoen Codd had worked on the set of the “Terminator” and Arnold Schwarzenegger tweeted his condolences to her family Tuesday.
Speechless. Cristie wasn’t just part of the Terminator crew, she brought us together at meals like a family. Thoughts are w/ her loved ones.
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) March 18, 2015
A Food Network spokesperson told Us Weekly: “Our thoughts go out to Cristie’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
Owens, who is also suspected in the 2000 disappearance of an 18-year-old, faces the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
