An Iron Station man will spend the rest of his life in prison after being given three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for the first-degree murder of his girlfriend and her parents.
Issac Nathaniel Christenbury, 28, was given the three consecutive life terms by the Honorable Donald R. Cureton, Superior Court Judge from Mecklenburg County, after pleading guilty to three counts of first-degree murder during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
Christenbury shot and killed 28-year-old Jenna Cox and her parents, Charles Cox, 61, and Cyndi Cox, 61, at a residence in Maiden on October 22, 2024. He killed Charles and Cyndi Cox in front of their 10-year-old grandson and even held the gun to the child’s head before letting him go.
The boy fled to a neighbor’s house after witnessing the shootings, and the neighbor made a 911 call to report what had happened.
“Today, justice has been served as Issac Christenbury pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole,” 36th Prosecutorial District Attorney Scott Reilly said. “I hope this plea sends a clear message: Acts of violence like this have no place in our community! Those who commit such heinous crimes will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
“This tragic case has deeply shocked our community. A mother and her two parents were brutally murdered in front of the mother’s 10-year-old child, who witnessed this horrific act of violence. Our thoughts remain with the victims’ family and friends as they continue to grieve and heal from their profound loss.”
The defendant will serve his period of incarceration in custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections.
Judge Cureton addressed the defendant prior to issuing the three life sentences.
“It’s hard to find words to say about an act such as this,” he said. “But my hope is … there is some redemption, however you find it … I hope that you do something positive; it will never make up for the harm that you’ve caused.”
Maiden Police Chief Tyler Whisenant noted the tragic loss of life caused by Christenbury while acknowledging the efforts put forth to bring about a swift resolution to such a heinous crime
“All of us at the Maiden Police Department continue to remember Charles Kevin Cox, age 61, Cyndi Marie Cox, age 61, and Jenna Lynn Cox, age 28 – three lives taken far too soon by this truly senseless act of violence,” Chief Whisenant said in a statement. “It’s because of the bravery of family, the quick actions of the community, the dedicated response by law enforcement officers from several agencies and the diligent work of the Catawba County District Attorney’s Office that four months after these murders were committed, Issac Nathaniel Christenbury has been convicted and will spend the rest of his life in prison.”
When officers from Maiden Police Department and emergency personnel from Maiden Rescue Squad arrived at the McRee Road residence, they found a trail of blood leading up a set of stairs along with shell casings, a firearm magazine and numerous bullet holes.
They located the body of Charles Cox at the top of the stairs, and Cyndi Cox’s body was found in the nearby dining room, both with multiple gunshot wounds, including gunshots to the head.
A search outside the residence revealed the body of Jenna Cox, the 10-year-old boy’s mother, inside the fencing around a swimming pool. She, too, had multiple gunshot wounds, including a gunshot to the head.
While officers were responding at the scene, a 911 call was received from Christenbury, who had driven away from the crime scene into nearby Lincoln County. During the call he acknowledged the shooting and that he wanted to surrender to authorities.
The defendant was taken into custody by Lincoln County officers with Catawba County deputies present at the scene. A firearm was found in the front passenger seat of the defendant’s vehicle.
During a custodial interview with Maiden Police Department investigators, the defendant waived his rights to counsel and told them that he left work that day, drove to the residence, and shot and killed all three victims.
The defendant’s parents later told investigators that Cox had broken off the relationship with Christenbury the previous day and revealed that a location application on his phone showed him near the scene at the time of the shooting.
Several family members made statements regarding the act, including the 10-year-old boy, who quietly addressed the court about what the defendant had taken away from him by killing his mother and grandparents.
Judge Cureton and DA Reilly acknowledged the bravery of the boy.
“You have a strength I could only hope to have,” the judge said. “I hope you become the best version of yourself that you can become, not only for yourself but those who lost their lives by such a horrible, horrible act.”
DA Reilly added, “I would like to recognize the extraordinary courage and strength of the 10-year-old child who witnessed this unimaginable act of violence. Despite his profound loss and trauma, he found the bravery to share his accounts with investigators and addressed the court during sentencing. His voice has been a crucial part of securing justice for his mother and grandparents.”
Chief Whisenant acknowledged the importance of helping family members and friends find closure through administration of justice.
“In moments of tragedy, the community and the criminal justice system unify to help bring closure and a sense of hope to those left to cherish the memories of the lost. My prayer is that the family, friends and neighbors who cherish the memories of Charles, Cyndi and Jenna Cox can find some peace knowing that justice was served in the courtroom today,” Whisenant said. “The Maiden Police Department will continue to work alongside our community, law enforcement partners and the District Attorney’s Office to bring dangerous individuals to justice.”
Josh Stikeleather and Jaleel Smith handled the investigation for Maiden Police Department. The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance, along with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Children’s Advocacy and Protection Center of Catawba County (CAPC)
Assistant District Attorneys Jonathan Greer and Howard Wellons prosecuted the matter for the State with aid from Legal Assistants Stacey London and Meredith Scott.
“I want to express my profound gratitude to the CAPC for their critical role in this case, especially in supporting and interviewing the young child who showed extraordinary bravery in recounting these traumatic events,” DA Reilly said. “I also commend the dedication and professionalism of the Maiden Police Department and other first responders who worked tirelessly to bring this case to resolution, ensuring that justice was achieved in a timely manner.”