Ex-boyfriend charged with Maiden family murder may have been motivated by argument, police say

MAIDEN, NC (WBTV) – A man accused of shooting and killing his ex-girlfriend and her parents as well as the family's home in Maiden may have been motivated by an argument, according to police.

Issac Christenbury, 27, is accused of killing 28-year-old Jenna Cox and her 61-year-old parents Charles and Cyndi Cox on Tuesday, October 22nd. Christenbury and Jenna Cox were previously together, Maiden police said Wednesday.

On Tuesday around 7:42 p.m., authorities found Jenna, Charles and Cyndi Cox dead with gunshot wounds in their first home on PJ McCree Road near Highway 321 Business. Investigators believe Christenbury shot the three family members after a possible argument between him and Jenna Cox.

No further details were given about a possible dispute. It also didn't say how long Christenbury and Cox were together or when their relationship ended.

According to police, a 10-year-old boy was also in the Maiden home at the time of the triple shooting. He was not physically injured.

—> More: The Catawba County community is honoring three family members who were shot and killed in the Maiden home

Christenbury was found and taken into custody in Lincoln County about 40 minutes after police found the Maiden family, officials said. Investigators believe Christenbury left the home on PJ McCree Road immediately after the shooting.

Investigators also believe that Christenbury acted alone.

Christenbury has since been charged with three counts of first-degree murder. If convicted, he could face the death penalty or life in prison.

His first court appearance was Wednesday morning. Christenbury is being held without bail at a detention center in Catawba County.

Initial Police continued to investigate the case along with the Catawba County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Community members gathered Wednesday evening to honor the family, who were remembered as kind, strong and loving.

“Anyone who crossed Jenna's path, even if they only met her once, will remember her forever,” said Jaclyn Buntic, Jenna Cox's longtime friend. “I couldn’t believe that someone could walk into their beautiful home and take their own life just like that.”

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or visit us thehotline.org.

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