Family sues husband for wrongful death

COLUMBIA, Ill., May 26 (UPI) -- The family of a woman and two sons allegedly strangled by her husband said Tuesday that ominous messages were written on the walls of their Illinois home.

Sheri Coleman's brother, his lawyer and Enrico Mirabelli, a cousin who is also a lawyer, were allowed into the house in Columbia under a court order. Jack Carey, the lawyer, filed a motion seeking access to the house, the Belleville News-Democrat reported.

Carey said they found writing on the walls in red spray paint: "punished" and "whore paid" or "u have paid."

The husband, Christopher Coleman, is being held without bail, charged with killing his wife and children.

At a news conference to announce that he had filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Christopher Coleman, Carey said Sheri Coleman's family also wants to know why her name was removed from the deed of the house in November, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. He also is seeking information on any life insurance Christopher Coleman, who had been employed as Coleman was a security guard with Joyce Meyer Ministries, may have purchased on her life.

Sheri Coleman and her sons, Garret, 11, and Gavin, 9, were killed May 5.