Disclaimer: The article contains mentions of murder and rape. Reader discretion is advised.
CBS 48 Hours plans to re-examine the brutal murder case of fashion writer Christa Worthington that happened in January 2002. Titled Beachside Homicide, the episode will dive deeper into the gruesome killing that shocked the entire media industry. Additionally, it would shed light on how the authorities solved the case and caught the killer. The episode will air on CBS on Saturday, July 6, at 9 p.m. EST.
Born on December 23, 1956, Christa Worthington attended Vassar College in New York and worked as a writer with several popular media publications. Per Women’s Wear Daily, Worthington wrote pieces for The New York Times, The Independent, Harper’s Bazaar, The Los Angeles Times, and Elle. Moreover, she traveled to New York, London, and Paris to cover several big fashion events. In 1997, Worthington moved to Truro and started living there. Apart from being a successful journalist, Worthington was a single mother to daughter Ava.
On January 6, 2002, one of Christa Worthington’s ex-boyfriends discovered her body in her house in Truro. He called 911 and told the dispatcher that Worthington was dead. CBS News reported that authorities found her stabbed once through the lung. Additionally, they discovered drag marks on the ground outside, which prompted an investigation as they analyzed the DNA found on Worthington’s body. For almost three years, the Cape Cod murder case remained unsolved until the surprise arrest of Chris McCowen, the former garbage man of Worthington.
What happened to Christa Worthington in Cape Cod?
According to CBS News, Christa Worthington’s half-naked body was found in the kitchen. The publication mentioned that the killer stabbed her through her left lung. While talking about the crime scene, reporter Eric Williams said, “The blade went through the body and into the kitchen floor beneath her body.” During the investigation, police found semen on Worthington’s body and sent the sample for DNA testing. Finally, in April 2005, the Cape Cod murder was solved after Chris McCowen was arrested in connection to the murder of Christa Worthington.
The New York Times reported that police charged him with first-degree murder, aggravated rape, armed assault, and burglary. However, he pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence. The trial of Chris McCowen began in October 2006 and continued for almost a month. The jury deliberated for more than a week before delivering a guilty verdict. Subsequently, the court sentenced Chris McCowen to life in prison. The New York Times stated that he received concurrent life sentences for aggravated rape and aggravated armed burglary.
