What are believed to be human remains were found in a wood stove at the home of the man accused of killing a Buncombe County couple and their unborn child, according to investigators.
Also, in a strange development in the case, the suspect’s home mysteriously burned to the ground on Friday morning.
The sheriff’s office held a news conference Friday afternoon to offer further details into the murders of Cristie Schoen Codd, 38, Joseph “JT” Codd, 45 and their unborn child.
Little new information was given due to the case being an ongoing investigation, however authorities gave a timeline of what they know happened and said that “material believed to be human remains” was recovered from a wood stove at the home of Robert Jason Owens.
Search warrants say on the same day, 36-year-old Owens threw away a trash bag with one victim’s belongings.
Warrants show deputies took 11 knives and a saw blade from Owens’ home.
They also said Owens, whose home mysteriously burned down, was forthcoming during questioning.
Owens is behind bars facing several charges, including two counts of first degree murder, murder of an unborn child, breaking and entering and larceny after breaking and entering.
The pair lived on nearby Hookers Gap Road. Neighbors say Owens was a contractor and worked for the couple.
Authorities say the couple was reported missing by family members on Sunday. Owens was arrested on Monday and is being held without bond at the Buncombe County Detention Center.
According to arrest warrants, Owens committed the murders on Thursday. He later broke into their home and stole a laptop, jewelry and a gun on Sunday, investigators add.
Initial external autopsies were conducted, then the remains were sent off to Winston-Salem for further autopsies at Wake Forest.
No motive has been released at this time.
Family members say the couple had ties to Hollywood. Cristie was a contestant on Season 8 of the Next Food Network Star and provided catering services on film sets. Joseph worked behind the scenes on TV and movie sets.
They also tell us Owens was once considered a suspect in the 2000 disappearance of 18-year-old Zebb Quinn.
