Coffeehouse Crime creator Adrian Stewart has revisited one of the most disturbing criminal cases he has covered online. He examines the 2007 abductions, sexual assaults, and murders of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Stewart operates the popular Coffeehouse Crime YouTube channel, which has about 2.9 million subscribers and focuses on notorious criminal cases from around the world. His latest episode, titled “Tennessee's House of Secrets — America's Most Horrific Case?”, explores the deaths of Christian, 21, and Newsom, 23.

Coffeehouse Crime Investigates a Disappearance

Christian and Newsom had been dating for about three months when they disappeared on the evening of Jan. 6, 2007. The couple lived in Knoxville, where Christian was studying sociology and Newsom worked as a carpenter.

They had planned to have dinner before meeting friends at a social gathering, but they never arrived. By the following morning, their families were unable to reach them. Christian also failed to report for work, prompting relatives to contact authorities.

The investigation quickly turned into a homicide case after Newsom's body was discovered near railroad tracks outside Knoxville.

Coffeehouse Crime Details the Discovery of Newsom

Newsom was found dead the day after the couple disappeared. Investigators determined that he had been sexually assaulted, shot and set on fire. His body had also been restrained.

The condition of the remains was so disturbing that Newsom's parents were advised not to view his body. The discovery left investigators searching urgently for Christian, whose whereabouts remained unknown.

Two days later, police found Christian's body inside a garbage container at a property near the home of Lemaricus Davidson.

Fingerprint Evidence Linked to Killer

Her abandoned vehicle provided investigators with important evidence, including fingerprints linked to Davidson.

The investigation eventually identified Davidson, Letalvis Cobbins, George Thomas and Eric Boyd as defendants. Vanessa Coleman, who was romantically involved with Cobbins, was also prosecuted for her role in Christian's death.

Coffeehouse Crime Examines the Abductions

According to prosecutors, Christian and Newsom were carjacked and abducted before being taken to a Knoxville-area property. Both victims were subjected to prolonged violence and sexual assaults.

Newsom was eventually transported to railroad tracks, where prosecutors said he was shot before his body was burned. Christian remained at the property and was subjected to further assaults before she was killed.

Cruel Crimes

The brutality of the case has made it one of Tennessee's most notorious murder investigations.

Stewart told his Coffeehouse Crime audience that the case contained details so disturbing that some could not be included in his presentation.

“I have to say those details push the boundaries of this case beyond anything that I've ever covered before,” Stewart said. He described the treatment of the victims as “cruel, degrading, and utterly inhuman.”

Coffeehouse Crime Covers the Trials and Sentences

The case resulted in multiple trials, convictions and retrials. Davidson, Cobbins and Thomas were convicted on numerous charges, including murder.

Davidson, whom prosecutors described as the ringleader, was sentenced to death. Cobbins and Thomas received life sentences.

Boyd was convicted of murder, robbery, kidnapping and rape-related offenses and received two life sentences.

Coleman was sentenced to 53 years in prison for her role in Christian's death. Her sentence was later reduced to 35 years.

The case remains a particularly grim example of the violence that can follow an apparently routine evening out. For Stewart and his Coffeehouse Crime viewers, the story also illustrates the devastating consequences for the families left behind after two young people disappeared without warning.

Additional Information

• Coffeehouse Crime on YouTube
• The Mirror — Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom case coverage
• The Mirror — Louisiana man murder case coverage
• The Mirror — Kidnapping information