27-year-old Issac Nathaniel Christenbury of the Lincoln County community of Iron Station was arrested Tuesday (October 22) by Maiden Police Officers. He’s charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
Shortly before 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Maiden Police officers responded to a reported shooting at a residence on PJ McRee Road in Maiden. Arriving officers found three deceased adults with gunshot wounds. Also in the residence at the time of the shooting was a juvenile who was physically unharmed.
Maiden Police officers received information that a passenger vehicle operated by the suspect had left the scene immediately after the shootings. Within an hour of the initial call, law enforcement officers received information about the suspects whereabouts.
The suspect and his vehicle were found just outside the Town of Maiden, inside Lincoln County. With the assistance of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office the suspect was taken into custody.
Christenbury was placed in the Catawba County Detention Facility without bond. A District Court date was scheduled today (October 23). The Maiden Police Department is continuing this investigation with assistance from the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY
Update
The identities of the victims has been released. The deceased are 28-year-old Jenna Lynn Cox, 61-year-old Cyndi Marie Cox, and 61-year-old Charles Kevin Cox, all from Maiden.
According to Investigators with the Maiden Police Department, the suspect, Issac Nathaniel Christenbury, had previously been in a dating relationship with Jenna Lynn Cox. Investigators say the incident may have stemmed from a dispute between Jenna Cox and Christenbury. Christenbury reportedly acted alone in the commission of the murders.
Christenbury had a first appearance in Catawba County District Court this morning (October 23). He remains in the Catawba County Detention Facility where he’s being held without bond. The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation are assisting the Maiden Police Department in the ongoing investigation.