Diana Ruth Money, a 43-year-old woman from Channelview, Texas, was tragically killed on November 13, 1997, during a violent incident at an apartment party. The perpetrator, Coy Wayne Wesbrook, went on a shooting rampage that resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including Diana Ruth Money. Wesbrook, who was 58 years old at the time of his execution, was convicted of capital murder for this heinous crime.
The other victims included Wesbrook's ex-wife, Gloria Jean Coons, 32; Antonio Cruz, 35; Anthony Ray Rogers, 41; and Kelly Hazlip, 28.
The incident occurred at the apartment of Wesbrook's ex-wife, Gloria Jean Coons, in Channelview, just east of Houston. Wesbrook and Coons had divorced in 1996 but continued to see each other and even lived together until August 1997. On the night of the incident, Wesbrook arrived at Coons' apartment, where a party was taking place. He testified that he felt humiliated when he saw Coons engaging in sexual activities with two other men. In a fit of rage, Wesbrook retrieved a hunting rifle from his truck and opened fire, killing all five victims within approximately 40 seconds.
Wesbrook was arrested at the scene and later convicted of capital murder. His trial revealed that he had a history of violent behavior and had previously attempted to have five other individuals, including another ex-wife and several witnesses, killed while he was in jail. Despite multiple appeals, Wesbrook's conviction and death sentence were upheld. He was executed by lethal injection on March 10, 2016.
The case of Diana Ruth Money and the other victims highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of addressing such issues to prevent future tragedies. Wesbrook's actions not only ended the lives of five individuals but also left a lasting scar on the community of Channelview.
