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On February 11, 2013, Christine Belford was shot by her former father-in-law, Thomas Matusiewicz, in the middle of an ongoing hearing at New Castle County Courthouse in Delaware over custody rights for her daughter.
Very Scary People season 6 episode 4 on Investigation Discovery explores this case on January 5. The synopsis of the episode reads:
"David Matusiewicz, Christine Belford, and their four kids live the American dream. But when David's parents move in, his family's need for control over the children leads to allegations of abuse, a 19-month kidnapping, and ultimately, a brutal murder."
David Matusiewicz currently serves a life sentence in federal prison with no parole eligibility on his conviction for the crime.
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Five key details regarding the murder of Christine Belford
1) The custody battle
Christine Belford's troubles started when she married David Matusiewicz. The couple gradually fell out, and they became embroiled in a vicious divorce and child custody battle for their three daughters. Christine divorced David in 2006. This was only the beginning of a series of legal battles between the two in the years ahead.
According to the United States Attorney's Office press release, the situation deteriorated further when David's parents, Thomas and Lenore Matusiewicz, became increasingly involved, opposing Christine's parenting and trying to undermine her custody rights.
This family conflict set the stage for escalating tensions that would ultimately lead to violence.
2) The kidnapping incident
On July 10, 2015, the United States Attorney's Office press release stated that David and Lenore Matusiewicz kidnapped their three daughters and ran to Nicaragua in 2007. The two were captured in 2009 and taken back to the U.S. David was later sentenced to four years in prison for his offenses.
It was after this that Christine was successful in revoking the parental rights of David and his parents in January 2010. This victory, however, just fueled the anger of the Matusiewicz family towards Christine, and this was the very reason they initiated a campaign of harassment against her.
3) The day of the shooting
According to the United States Attorney's Office press release on July 10, 2015, on February 11, 2013, Christine appeared in court for a hearing about child support. She was accompanied by her friend Laura "Beth" Mulford to provide support. At around 8 am when they entered the courthouse lobby, Thomas Matusiewicz opened fire at both women.
He shot Christine Belford several times before turning his gun on Mulford as she tried to run away. The assault left both women dead, and Thomas died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a shootout with police officers.
4) Cyberstalking
The murder was preceded by a pervasive campaign of cyberstalking conducted by David Matusiewicz and his family on Christine. They posted false accusations about Christine on the internet and other platforms, including schools and churches.
According to the United States Attorney's Office press release on July 10, 2015, it emerged that the David family had been observing and trying to harass Christine for nearly a decade before the shooting incident.
5) Consequences for the Matusiewicz family
Under law after the tragic murder of Christine Belford, a federal jury convicted David Matusiewicz, Lenore Matusiewicz, and Amy Gonzalez of interstate stalking and cyberstalking that led to her death. They were convicted of organizing a campaign of harassment against Christine that led to the violent act committed by Thomas Matusiewicz.
According to the United States Attorney's Office press release on July 10, 2015, all three family members received life sentences for their roles in this conspiracy. The case clearly described the worst experience of domestic violence and stalking related to the household.
The Christine Belford murder remains a grim example of how closely personal disputes escalate into acts of violence. Her death, on February 11, 2013, was not in any way an incident but a summation of multiple years of harassment and cases in courts associated with her husband's family.
