Police: 1 person responsible for Columbia murders

CHESTER -- Police on Wednesday presented evidence to a prosecutor in the murders of a southwestern Illinois woman and her two children, but the state's attorney did not file charges pending the results of forensic tests.

"We are still anticipating charges in the future," said Jeff Connor with the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, who noted that such testing may take weeks.

Monroe County State's Attorney Kris Reitz said he could not talk about the investigation.

Police believe one person is responsible in the killings of Sheri Coleman, 31, and her two sons, Garett, 11, and 9-year-old Gavin, who were found in their Columbia home on May 5.

"We have an individual we feel is responsible ... the evidence suggests that," Connor said. "But you need to make sure before you make charges on something like this. Our investigation to me reveals who's responsible for these deaths, I'll leave it at that."

Connor declined to name the suspect.

"We believe it was not a random act, that it was actually intended to kill the three members of this family," he said.

Sheri Coleman was buried Wednesday in the Randolph County town of Chester with her two sons.

Her husband and the children's father, Chris Coleman, went with his parents to the cemetery where the slain family's caskets were laid out for burial. He appeared to wipe away tears as he huddled between his parents, his arms stretched around them.

Coleman was closely followed during the day by police in unmarked cars. He has given police his fingerprints, but investigators have not named him as a suspect in the case.

Police have said investigators looked into "prior threats" related to the family. And some neighbors have also said the Colemans received threatening letters and their mailbox was tampered with.

Chris Coleman asked police for a well-being check on May 5 after he called their house and no one answered, investigators said.

Connor declined to address the threats Wednesday.

"I've said all along, I've felt confident that this case would be solved," he said.