(Twitter)
Corey Thomas was the other victim in the Jon “War Machine” Koppenhaver case. The 35-year-old former MMA fighter was convicted of kidnapping, beating and sexually assaulting his porn actress ex-girlfriend, an incident that took place in 2014. Thomas, who was dating the woman at the time, was assaulted in the matter as well.
Koppenhaver was sentenced to life in prison in a Las Vegas courtroom June 5, and called himself a “very lost, very empty person,” adding that he “should have killed (himself) by now.”
“Sometimes I didn’t realize what I did until I’d already done it,” Koppenhaver told Clark County District Court Judge Elissa Cadish. “I hate that this happened.”
The kidnapping and sexual assault charges were carried out against his ex-girlfriend Christy Mack.
Here’s what you need to know about Thomas:
1. War Machine’s Brother Accused Thomas of Having Sex With Mack
Corey Thomas (Twitter)
As stated in court proceedings, one of the main reasons why War Maching gave Mack and Thomas the gruesome beating was because he was jealous they were in a relationship.
Mack was dating Thomas at the time after her and War Machine broke up in May 2014, but hadn’t been confirmed that Thomas and Mack were having sexual relations.
According the War Machine’s brother, Michael Eugene, War Machine walked in on Mack and Thomas having sex in her Las Vegas apartment, but Mack denied the allegations. She claimed that Koppenhaver walked in on them both fully clothed in a bedroom.
Regardless, War Machine arrived unexpectedly at the home and began assaulting the two.
2. War Machine Broke Thomas’ Nose & More
Corey Thomas, beaten during 2014 attack, addresses judge #WarMachine #8NN
In the assault, which lasted multiple hours, Thomas suffered a broken nose, a dislocated shoulder, multiple scrapes, bruises and bite marks. He asked War Machine if he was going to kill him, or let him go, and the MMA fighter let Thomas go.
Afterward, however, War Machine continued his viscous assault on Mack and spent almost two hours beating her.
Authorities said that War Machine, who made his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut in 2007, proceeded to beat Mack to “within an inch of death after he ordered Thomas away.”
3. Mack Suffered 18 Broken Bones and a Ruptured Liver
Added below are the graphic photos and story about what happened pic.twitter.com/U1T1X2OP4d
— Christy Mack (@ChristyMack) August 11, 2014
War Machine left Mack with 18 broken bones in her face, a ruptured liver and many more injuries. Those included missing teeth, a fractured eye socket and leg injuries.
After fleeing the scene, he expressed through his twitter in tweets he later deleted saying: “She’s my property and always will be.”
He also tweeted to Mack after the incident: “I love you and hope you’re okay. I came home (sp) early to surprise you and help you set up for your convention. I can’t believe what I found and can’t believe what happened.”
When she saw an opportunity, Mack managed to ran to a neighbors’ home as War Machine tried to grab a knife.
TMZ reported after an interview with Mack about how she escaped:
War Machine threw the friend out of the house and then she says he allegedly made her strip and shower in front of him. Then she says the beating began … resulting in 18 broken bones around her eyes, a broken nose, missing teeth, a fractured rib and ruptured liver.
Mack says War Machine also “sawed much of my hair off with [a] dull knife.”
She says he threatened to rape her but was unable to perform.
Mack says she ran out of the house naked, begging neighbors to help her. One did and took her to the hospital, where she remains.
Mack said that War Machine had beat her up before, but never that badly.
I would also like to thank @DrToscanoDDS for offering his services in fixing my teeth. I appreciate your support for all victims of abuse.
— Christy Mack (@ChristyMack) August 13, 2014
4. Thomas Once Starred in a Reality Show
Thomas was once a co-star on the reality VH1 show “Megan Wants To Marry A Millionaire.” The show debuted in 2009 and he appeared on it after he made $5 million in his successful web design business venture.
The show made it through just four episodes before Thomas’ co-star, Ryan Jenkins, was interrogated for the murder of his wife after chopping up her body, which he then threw into a suitcase and left in a dumpster.
Jenkins committed suicide a little while after the investigation, and the show was cancelled.
5. War Machine Went on the Run After Police Went on a Search
War Machine was been on the run from authorities since the assault took place on August 8, 2014.
Along with a $10,000 reward for his capture, Koppenhaver had warrants out for strangulation, two counts of felony batteries, two counts of domestic violence (with great bodily injury), felony assault with a deadly weapon, felony coercion with the threat of force, and a misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon.
Dog the Bounty Hunter said on Twitter that he was out on the hunt for War Machine.
#CMTDogAndBeth War Machine YOU HAVE 6 HOURS LEFT !!SEE YOU SOON !!
— Duane Dog Chapman (@DogBountyHunter) August 12, 2014
On August 15, 2014, War Machine was captured by U.S. Marshalls and Simi Valley Police officers just outside of Los Angeles.
TMZ reported that he didn’t put up a fight, and was sitting in a hotel room with a pizza and a “small amount of cash.”
He was taken into custody where he was faced 34 charges in connection in the assault. In March 2017, the jury failed to reach a verdict on two attempted murder charges and acquitted him on three lesser counts.
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Corey Thomas, Christy Mack’s Friend: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know