By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Police arrested a Metro East man late Tuesday and charged him with three counts of first degree murder in the strangling deaths of his wife and two sons.
At a news conference after the arrest, St. Louis area Major Case squad commander Jeff Connor said Chris Coleman was taken into custody at his parents home in Chester, Ill.
Connor said investigators found new evidence on Tuesday that allowed them to get an arrest warrant.
"We were waiting on some forensic evidence, forensic testimony, different things," Connor said. "It all started coming together, and for several days now we've been close, and there was some more evidence that came forward."
Connor would not specify what that new evidence was, nor would he discuss any possible motive.
Christopher Coleman's wife Sheri and their two sons, Garett, 11, and 9-year-old Gavin were found dead in their Columbia, Ill. home on May 5.
Christopher Coleman told police he was exercising at a gym when the murders occurred.
Coleman's attorney William Margulis says his client will plead not guilty.
Officials said the case remains open but they are not looking for
other suspects.