In the upcoming episode of Snapped: Behind Bars season 2, episode 5, titled Tabitha Messina, viewers will explore the chilling 2007 double homicide in Ohio that resulted in the tragic deaths of 50-year-old Richard Messina and his 43-year-old long-term girlfriend, Sandra Cover.
This episode features an exclusive interview with Tabitha Messina, one of the main suspects in the murders of the Ohio couple, and will air on Oxygen on September 29, 2024, at 7:00 pm ET. The synopsis reads:
“Serving a life sentence for the murders of her father and his girlfriend, Tabitha Messina explains what happened for the first time on camera. She claims she wasn’t the mastermind and shifts blame onto her convicted co-conspirator.”
Following the investigations into the double homicide, both Tabitha Messina and Carlos Christopher were convicted. They received separate sentences due to the brutal nature of their crimes and are currently incarcerated. Tabitha Messina is held at the Dayton Correctional Center, while her accomplice, Carlos Christopher, remains at the Trumbull Correctional Institution.
Details of the Brutal Murders of Richard Messina and Sandra Cover
Richard Messina and Sandra Cover were tragically killed at their residence on July 29, 2007, with their bodies discovered the following day, July 30, 2007. Richard was found next to his bed, his body contorted unnaturally, with bedclothes obscuring his face. A cell phone and a crucifix were placed beside his head, while Sandra Cover was also found deceased in the same bedroom.
The autopsy revealed that Richard died from multiple chop wounds inflicted with a hatchet, whereas Sandra succumbed to blunt force trauma.
Altercation Leading Up to the Murders
Reports indicate that Carlos Christopher and Tabitha Messina’s budding romance was disapproved by Tabitha’s father, Richard, who allegedly objected to her dating a dark-skinned man. Following this, Tabitha broke up with Christopher and briefly dated someone else.
As reported by Oxygen True Crime, on July 29, 2007, Richard called Tabitha, requesting the return of a phone she had borrowed. Tabitha, reluctant to return it, sent Christopher to Richard’s residence to return the device that same day.
In a statement by Christopher’s attorney, John Pyle, it was revealed that an altercation ensued between Christopher and Richard after the latter allegedly directed a racial slur at him.
Post-altercation, Richard reported the incident to the authorities, voicing that he did not want Tabitha or Christopher back in his home. Shortly after this, the couple was found murdered, and their vehicles were reported stolen.
When Tabitha and Carlos were arrested on July 30, 2007, Christopher allegedly claimed that Tabitha was the first to attack Sandra Cover, prompting him to kill Richard, who had awakened during the attack.
In 2008, both Carlos Christopher and Tabitha Messina were charged with double homicide. Tabitha pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated murder and one count of robbery, while Christopher also pleaded guilty to the murders.
Christopher received a life sentence without parole in 2008, while Tabitha was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after 60 years.
To gain further insight into this double homicide and to hear Tabitha’s perspective, be sure to watch season 2, episode 5 of Snapped: Behind Bars.
Learn more about the case here
Related Articles:
“She Can Be Hateful in Public Now!” – Internet Reacts to Justine Bateman’s Claim That Last Four Years Were “Un-American”
0:21
Release Date of Zatima Season 3 Episode 10: What to Expect for Upcoming Episodes
0:19
Jeongnyeon: Episode 9-10 Recap – Moon Ok-gyeong Leaves Maeran Troupe, Seo Yong-rye Leads Yoon Jeong-nyeon Back to Pansori
0:04
Leave a Reply