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Man Convicted of Murdering Real Estate Agent, Sarah Anne Walker, Sentenced to Death in Texas

Some of you may remember the headlines about the brutal murder of Sarah Anne Walker in July 2006; however, it is more likely that you either do not remember or never saw the reports. I heard about her murder in passing and thought..."How horrible!" Then, in truth, I thought about it no more...until this morning.

Sarah Anne Walker was an attractive, successful, 40 year-old onsite agent for D.R. Horton in McKinney, Texas. On the day of her death, she was doing what she did every other day...her job. She was hosting an open house in a model home of the Hemingway at Craig Ranch Community when Kosoul Chanthakoummane, her killer, showed up unexpectedly and took her life...brutally biting, beating and stabbing her 27 times. Before leaving, he stole her Rolex watch and ring...leaving police to suspect that robbery was his motive.

Although Walker was Chanthakoummane's first known victim in Texas, her murder was not his first assault on women. In 1996...he broke into a home in Weddington, NC, tied up two elderly, female occupants and stole their car. He was convicted and sentenced to 11 years in prison. Due to overcrowding, he was transferred and released into the Texas' parole program after serving 9 years of his sentence. At the time of Sarah Walker's murder, he had been living in Texas for only six months...serving the remainder of his parole sentence for his crimes in North Carolina.

Even more disturbing, the day before Chanthakoummane's savage attack on Sarah Walker, he had approached another onsite agent...claiming that his car had broken down and asking to use the phone. According to the agent's statement, he became frightened of her dog and ran away in a fury. Thankfully, she was unharmed and capable of identifying Chanthakoummane from a police sketch...which directly led to his arrest and conviction for Sarah Walker's murder. Police believe that Chanthakoummane specifically planned to target real estate agents.

For the shocking and senseless murder of Sarah Anne Walker, it took jurors only three and a half hours to unanimously agree that Chanthakoummane (27 years old) should die by lethal injection. He is currently awaiting his sentence on death row in Livingstone, Texas. In his death row webpage profile, he writes..."I am a condemned man here on death row, in Livingston, Texas-U.S.A. My cause is in the appeals process. For the time being, I pray God's mercy on my soul." Ironically...in his profile...he also links to his personal MySpace page.

In my opening paragraph, I stated that I had forgotten about this story until this morning...when I discovered a very touching story behind the story. Mr. Joseph Walker, the father of Sarah Anne Walker, is a devout Catholic who posts a daily message on the Semper Fi Catholic forum from the Diary of St. Faustina on the Divine Mercy. On the day that his daughter's murderer was sentenced, Mr. Walker posted this message:

TODAY I WROTE A LETTER TO KOSOUL AND HIS ENTIRE FAMILY..
EXPLAINING I PRAY THE DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET EVERYDAY FOR HIM.. AND ALSO THAT I FORGIVE HIM COMPLETELY. AND HAVE NO ANIMOSITY TOWARDS HIM. I PUT IT IN A COPY OF THE DIARY WITH OTHER MERCY PAMPLETS..

JESUS I TRUST IN YOU
JOSEPH Walker

May we ALL find the courage that HE found...to forgive THOSE who have broken our hearts and crushed our spirits.

UPDATE 5:01pm:

To EVERYONE WHO HAS READ AND COMMENTED: Each one of you deserve an individual response, but I feel that the emotions that this post stirred are similar for everyone. What I have to say, I would like to address to EVERYONE at the same time.

Believe me when I say that I feel angry...furious by this man's actions. He, and people like him, terrify me. I am not some kind of superwoman who has a perfect heart...nor do I suspect Mr. Walker of being a superhuman. I believe his heart is broken into a thousand pieces...as I KNOW my heart would be if someone took one of my daughters from me.

This man does not deserve forgiveness. He does not deserve your forgiveness nor my forgiveness. And, he certainly does not deserve Mr. Walker's forgiveness.

In truth, I don't believe that anyone DESERVES forgiveness. That is what makes it such an incredible thing. And...it is definitely NOT something we can do in our own strength.

What I have learned in my life is that forgiveness is a gift we give...NOT to the person who hurt us...but to OURSELVES. I'm still learning how to do this, as I carried a lot of unforgiveness in my heart until I finally was able to forgive my father. Now that my heart is free, I NEVER want to be locked in the prison of unforgiveness ever again.

That is really what this post is about for me. Mr. Walker is the kind of man/person that I hope to one day be...a person whose heart is THAT FREE.

MUCH LOVE AND APPRECIATION TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUAL SUPPORT!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!

Written and Posted by:

Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR® -- The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)

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Posted by Elizabeth Nieves - Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team on 01/04/2008 12:57 PM

Comments (35)

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Originally posted at: Raleigh - Durham...A Real N.C. Girl's Perspective: Man Convicted of Murdering Real Estate Agent, Sarah Anne Walker, Sentenced to Death in Texas

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35 Comments on Man Convicted of Murdering Real Estate Agent, Sarah Anne Walker, Sentenced to Death in Texas

JAN

2008

Elizabeth, Bless her father and her entire family, one of the difficult things to do in something so horrible is to truly forgive. I know it's freeing but the fact is, it's SO hard. I have to wonder why they let him out in the first place...a terribly sad story that I'm glad you posted about, it will remind everyone to be SAFE in this wonderful New Year.

What an awful story...all agents need to keep a sharp eye on any client they take out. BE CAREFUL!

I don't know what to say. Just a heartbreaking story.

Elizabeth, very frightening and terribly sad story...I'd never heard this story before, most likely because July 8th, the day she was murdered, is my birhtday and I wasn't at home reading the news.

It's so important that we take such careful actions to protect ourselves, we just never know.
Her Father's actions remind me of those of the Amish....

Elizabeth It takes more love to forgive than I think I caould muster if it was my daughter - he had no right and deserves no mercy in my eyes

Wow... I'm a proponent of the death penalty, "an eye for an eye"... but my religion preaches that only God has the right to take someone's life, and as a result, we have no right to impose the death penalty on anyone, because only God can judge us for our crimes.

But then again, Kosul took someone else's life, and should certainly be punished... but still, who are we to impose death upon a person?

I don't know the father, and have never heard of him before today... but he is a person who deserves respect...

He is truly at one with God, because Man does not have the ability to forgive such an act.

I've never been a big fan of turn the other cheek so they can hit you again. Instead of endless appeals at taxpayer expense to defend these undesirables I say give them the injection.

Thank you for the reminder. I had also read/heard about the murder last year, and let the memory pass..... always good to be reminded of real life, "BE CAREFUL" stories!

Elizabeth: I do remember this story and it was hard to get my mind around what this young woman went through. God bless this young lady's family and give them peace and comfort which He has already done by her dad's ability to forgive such an unforgiveable crime. I trust God is in control and all things are working in accordance with His Will.

Elizabeth - I so well remember this story since it happened right here in my area. The man who killed Sarah Walker has shown no remorse whatsoever. Our news reporters had trouble covering this because the attack was so vicious. His father has shown what forgiveness can do. I only hope my faith would allow me to forgive someone who took my child's life in the manner this man did. I would have to forgive him because that's what God wants us to do, but it would be the hardest thing I would ever have to do. Bless him.

I try to practice forgiveness. It is hard to walk around in life holding grudges... however... in cases such as this.... and so many others that involve completely innocent women, children, families.... I am not able to forgive. I have to agree with Karen's line....

Elizabeth It takes more love to forgive than I think I could muster if it was my daughter - he had no right and deserves no mercy in my eyes

None.

If mercy is to be handed out.... god will decide that after this inhuman animal is removed from this earth.

(Between your post and mine... I'm a bit depressed on this Friday afternoon!)

I think you just determined my post for the day. A personal REALTOR friend of mine was mugged a few years ago. I actually mentioned it in a You Tube video, recently. I guess I'll blog her story and insert the video =)

To EVERYONE WHO COMMENTED: Each one of you deserve an individual response, but I feel that the emotions that this post stirred are similar for everyone. What I have to say, I would like to address to EVERYONE at the same time.

This man does not deserve forgiveness. He does not deserve your forgiveness nor my forgiveness. And, he certainly does not deserve Mr. Walker's forgiveness.

In truth, I don't believe that anyone DESERVES forgiveness. That is what makes it such an incredible thing. And...it is definitely NOT something we can do in our own strength.

That is really what this post is about for me. Mr. Walker is the kind of man/person that I hope to one day be...a person whose heart is THAT FREE.

MUCH LOVE AND APPRECIATION TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUAL SUPPORT!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!

Elizabeth:

I am a compassionate conservative. I believe there is no true justice here. What this man did was heinous. The death penalty is too easy for him. This man will get his punishment later by a higher authority.

I would hope that I could find such forgiveness in my heart but I don't know...I simply don't know.

There is not a chance that I could forgive someone if they had done this t one of my daughters. I'm not sure if that makes Mr Walker a very special human being or not - I am merely saying that I know I could not forgive I'm not sure I could go on either. Parents should never have to bury children. Period.

Elizabeth - the human mind is a strange machine. And with that being an absolute truth, it also follows that this machine influences the resiliency of our hearts - and the ability to forgive.

Some people confuse forgiveness for excusing a behavior/event. It's not. It is so much deeper than that.

In my life I have forgiven people for various things - but in no way have I excused their culpability. And even though I have forgiven them, I choose not to have anything to do with them. It's my form of self protection.

This is a sad story, for sure. But I maintain that no matter how heinous the crime, a sane and reasonable person could not conclude that this offender was firing on all plugs. It just could not be so.

God bless you, my beautiful friend.

Forgiveness is something you give when a person ASKS for it......

If they don't ask... you don't give.....

Praying for them is one thing...
forgiving is another totally....

;-)

Elizabeth, I am not as generous a person as Mr. Walker. It would be a long, long time before I could forgive such an evil deed.

What I have learned in my life is that forgiveness is a gift we give...NOT to the person who hurt us...but to OURSELVES.

This statement is the long journey I took through my whole life to get to. Forgiving self is a wonderous thing... I learned to move on with my life. Thank you for relaying more than just a story.

JAN

2008

BILL- I totally agree with you. There is ONLY ONE who can render justice...and HE will! There is nothing that is done on earth that will escape the final judgement. GBU!

MONIKA- I absolutely understand! In truth...none of us know what we would do...and I hope we never have to find out. GBU!

SIMON- I truly and sincerely understand. I have never experienced burying my own child, but I did lose a child (my nephew to whom I was very close) in 1993. He was murdered. And, yes, I forgave the teenage boys who killed him. It was the most difficult thing I've ever gone through, but God gave me the strength to keep going. Otherwise, I don't believe I could have made it. Blessings, my friend.

CAROL- Some people confuse forgiveness for excusing a behavior/event. It's not. It is so much deeper than that. Those are wise words, my friend...as usual. Like you, I don't go back and place myself in the path of danger...but I also choose not to imprison my own soul. I can never go back to that place...because it hurts me more than the person who did the crime. I love you! You are a gift! GBU!

ALEX- I understand what you are saying...it is just that I've had to forgive people who NEVER even knew me to ask my forgiveness...like the young men who killed my nephew. They did not know me, but I knew them. If I had not forgiven them...I would not be the person I am today. That is for sure. God bless you, my dear friend!!

BRIAN- I understand how you feel. But...you did say a long time...not never. You are stronger than you think. Blessings!!

SALLY- YES IT IS...being able to let go and live free!! I totally understand. MAY YOUR HEART ALWAYS BE FREE!!!

Elizabeth- I can't say what I would do in this father's shoes and I hope I never have to. I do believe it takes much more than our own will or strength to forgive another of a heinous crime or really any hurt for that matter. We may move on in life, but few of us truly forgive.

Jackie

Elizabeth -

After 26 years as a police officer, I can vividly recall a few situations where I saw and came face to face with "absolute evil" in a person. Life and death situations. They had no remorse, no conscience, no regard for anyone at all. I believe this evil criminal deserves and should get the death penalty, quickly.

I believe this victim's father has the right to handle this emotional crisis any way he desires. He needs to be allowed to grieve, forgive, pray or give it all to God if he wants. We are not in his place or his heart. Personally I am not sure at this point if I would be big enough to forgive, fortunately I don't have to face this now. I'm not sure how my position on the death penalty squares with my Christianity.

Our God knows the battle with this lousy evil criminal and God will ultimately prevail. Of that much we can be sure. These are entirely my thoughts and not judgements of anyone else's opinion on here.

List and Sell (and please be careful) Gary @ RentonHomeFinder

Elizabeth, Forgiveness can be tough even if you say you've forgiven someone there will be times of doubt. I am comepletely opposed to the death penalty for a few reasons. There have been too many mistakes on convictions.I think prejudice plays to big a role too often. I don,t trust our government to fix our school systems I surely don,t trust them with the lives of it's own citizens. And Personally I think that if they are guilty killing them is letting them off easy. Life without parole and stop worrying about their rights.

Elizabeth,

How difficult it is to forgive. It's even more difficult to think ourselves forgiven sometimes, because we do know that it's undeserved. I pray that I never have to face a situation like this father has. I don't know how I'd handle it, but you're right, if we don't forgive it will only cause more pain and trouble in our own lives.

Elizabeth, thank you for this post on several accounts. 1) I think that it is extremely important for Realtors to be careful, especially with floor calls. When I was in high school, one of my classmates mother, who was a Realtor, was murdered after getting a floor call. The case has never been solved. I've worked with the agent that initially got the floor call. She still thanks God that she didn't have time to "help" that caller.

Secondly, I agree with your point about forgiveness. In my opinion, that father realizes the only chance that he has to continue on in life is to try to forgive the man that murdered his daughter. About 10 years ago, I had a preacher suggest that when you are really angry with someone that you should pray for them and to request the strength to forgive them on a daily basis. He said that eventually one of two things will happen. You will forgive them or you will forget about it. I've always thought that has been some of the best advice I've ever received.

God Bless You!!!!

JAN

2008

Elizabeth - Such a heartbreaking story. I'm glad her assailant won't be able to do this to anyone else. GBU.

I have 3 daughters and 3 grandkids. I don't even want to think of this happening to one of mine. The thought alone scares me.

JAN

2008

This is a heartbreaking story and a reminder how careful we all need to be out there ! I admire her fathers courage and strength in forgiving his daughters murdered. But with that I understand we forgive not for the people who hurt us or our loved ones...we forgive for OURSELVES so that we can move on !

JACKIE- You are right that for most people there is always a remnant of unforgiveness that jumps out when you least expect it. I don't have the answer...but I know who does. Blessings!

GARY- OUR influences and experiences mold our beliefs. Your years of daily contact with the things that most of can't bear to even think about has left a deep impression. You do not need to apologize for how you feel or believe. I respect and admire you so much! This is a tough one...for everyone. What I know is that God knows our hearts. That is all that matters. GBU!

HUGH- Thank you for sharing. I know that there is a moment of judgement that everyone will face. ONLY then will this man receive what he deserves. Blessings!

ANDREW- How true are your words, It's even more difficult to think ourselves forgiven sometimes, because we do know that it's undeserved. Honestly, that is where most of us need to begin with forgiveness...forgiving ourselves. Then, we'll have a better chance at forgiving others. GBU!

SONDRA- Your comment further confirms the need to follow safety guidelines...ALL THE TIME! I believe that with all my heart! Thanks for reminding us with that real life horror story.

And YES...I agree with that pastor. One or the other will happen in time...not overnight. God bless YOU, my friend!

TOM- ME TOO! GBU!

ROBERT- It is a frightening world. It is so good to know that we are never alone...that God has our backs!! Blessings!!

MELISSA- You are ABSOLUTELY right! Forgiveness is rarely/sometimes about the other person. However, it is ALWAYS about us. GBU!!

Hello Elizabeth - I never saw a photo of this REALTOR - how young - how sad - how Godly of her earthly father to forgive her killer - I have dealt with issues of forgiveness before in my own life, but never to such a grave scale - as Christians we are called to forgive, as a human I pray for help to live it! I suppose if you don't, your health & well being would be eaten up by the negative emotions of holding on to this type of grief & pain - I pray God comforts that family in this their time of need.

Blessings

Grace

I got a little chill when a 10 year old at my open last Sunday said..."Are you here all alone ? " It really has not occured to me to be afraid.,,,,at the very least cautious.

JAN

2008

Elizabeth, I too watched this story very closely because of the closeness to our area. I also believe in the death penalty.

With that said, a few months ago, in fact the week before the trial was to start, the lead investigating officer on this case came to my county to hold a safety class for agents in this area. As horrible as the story was in the news, there were so many things that were left out until the trial was underway that made it even more horrific. He was able to relate just some of the details that the public had not been made aware of because we were not going to be in the jury pool and just so he could show us how placated we can become in our every day surroundings and situations.

One thing that REALLY stands out in my mind was the fact that he had deliberately targeted Realtors (Chanthakoummane's own admission), because of the implied wealth of Realtors. HE WAS AFTER HER JEWELRY! He had been watching her and the other agent for a couple of days and knew that they were sitting on this open house alone in an area that was going through revitalization. He saw the cars they drove each day and the "BLING BLING" as he put it. This made me rethink wearing every piece of jewelry each day. As the officer suggested, save the really nice stuff for parties, special functions and such.

PLEASE, PLEASE, just watch yourselves, be aware of your surroundings and let you instincts dictate your responses and decisions. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. God gave us those "gut feelings" and the hair standing up on the back of our neck for a reason. Pay attention to those sensations.

NO AMOUNT OF MONEY IS WORTH YOUR LIFE!

Elizabeth,

Like you, anger wells up in me when I read about this man. What a wretched soul he is, and how he really deserves lethal injection! Then I look up in the mirror and the Lord freshens in my memory of all the things that I've done in my life that have hurt loved ones. Not murder, but none the less the sins that in Gods eyes justifies his ultimate judgement! I'm so glad He loves me, and sent His son to redeem me and all of us!!

Great post young lady! God bless you!

JAN

2008

Elizabeth what Mr. Walker did was free himself. Hate and anger turns you into a bitter hateful angry person and then the monster who committed the crime not only took the victims life but also the souls of those family members left behind. I know from personal experience (nothing to this degree) that forgiving someone doesn't mean you have to forget or even like the person. You've simply set yourself free from carrying that burden of hate or anger. GBU!

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