A neighbor of Food Network star Cristie Codd and her husband, Hollywood key-grip man J.T. Codd, has been accused of murdering the couple. Family and friends of the Codds had been searching for them since March 15. On the night of March 16, police in Buncombe County, North Carolina, took Robert Jason Owens into custody.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. He’s Also Accused of Murdering the Codds’ Unborn Baby
The Codds on their wedding day. (Facebook)
Owens is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder, larceny, free text felony, and breaking and entering in the disappearance of the Codds. He’s accused of stealing the Codds’ Glock handgun as well as jewelry and a laptop from their home. Owens faces the death penalty. He will be represented by a public defender in the case.
Jason Owens making his first appearance in murders of Cristie and JT Codd along with their unborn baby. #foxcarolina http://t.co/89yAa5MOYX
In addition, he’s being charged with the felonious murder of the Codds’ unborn child. Cristie Codd was five months pregnant when she vanished, reports Fox Carolina. Owens will appear in court on March 17. Police believe the couple were murdered on the night of March 10, reports the Asheville Citizen-Times.
2. Owens Lived Less Than a Mile From the Codds
Deputy puts up crime tape at driveway to home of missing couple, Cristie & JT Codd of Leicester. @WLOS_13 http://t.co/7nYcLQUPBP
Owens was a neighbor of the Codds, living less than a mile away from them in rural North Carolina. WLOS reports that a crime scene had been established at the Codds’ home, close to Asheville, around 7 p.m. on March 16, shortly after a second crime scene was established at Owens’ home.
3. He Was a Person of Interest in the Case of Missing Teenager Zebb Quinn
Zebb Quinn was last seen in January 2000. (Handout)
Robert Jason Owens was one of the last people to see missing North Carolina teenager Zebb Quinn. Quinn disappeared in January 2000 and hasn’t been seen since. Owens met Quinn after the teen finished his shift at Walmart. The two were going to look at a car together. On the way there, the two got separated when, according to Owens, Quinn mysteriously said he couldn’t go and look at the car. After giving an initial statement to police about what happened, Owens refused to cooperate further. No link was found between Owens and the disappearance. In 2012, Quinn’s case was featured in the show Disappeared.
4. He Once Led Police on a 26-Minute High-Speed Chase
Jason Owens, 34, appears in Buncombe County District Court this morning on murder charges. #avlnews http://t.co/1vmCtUYHuM
Owens has multiple previous arrests, mainly for drunken driving, speeding and other motor-related offenses. In one incident, he tried to attack a police officer, according to online records. He last served 10 months in 2008 for speeding and resisting arrest. The Asheville Daily Planet reported in 2007 that at the time of his last arrest, he led police on a high-speed chase for 26 minutes.
5. The Codds Were Due to Begin Working on a New Movie on March 16
J.T. Codd on set. (Facebook)
Cristie Codd, 38, starred on Season 8 of Food Network Star on the Food Network. She was a member of Team Alton on the show.
J.T. Codd, 45m worked as the key grip on Hollywood movies. According to family members, the couple were due to depart to Biloxi, Mississippi, so that J.T. could work on a new movie.
