In the quiet suburbs of McKinney, Texas, a grisly crime in 2006 forever altered the perception of safety within the real estate profession. Sarah Walker, a 40-year-old top-selling realtor for D.R. Horton, was found brutally murdered in a model home she was showcasing in the Hemingway at Craig Ranch neighborhood.
The Crime
On July 8, 2006, Sarah Walker was discovered dead in the kitchen of the model home, having suffered multiple stab wounds—33 in total—as well as blunt force trauma and a bite mark on her neck. The crime scene was described as ransacked, with blood found throughout the home. Investigators later determined that Walker’s Rolex watch and a silver ring were missing, suggesting robbery as a possible motive.
The Investigation
DNA evidence played a crucial role in solving the case. Blood matching that of Kosoul Chanthakoummane, a man on parole for a previous offense, was found under Walker’s fingernails and on the model home’s deadbolt. Additionally, a bloody fingerprint at the scene further linked him to the crime. Chanthakoummane initially claimed he entered the home to get a drink of water, but the evidence contradicted his statement.
The Trial and Conviction
In 2007, after a brief deliberation, a Collin County jury convicted Chanthakoummane of capital murder. He was sentenced to death. Despite multiple appeals challenging the forensic evidence, including bite mark analysis and DNA testimony, the conviction was upheld. On August 17, 2022, after 16 years on death row, Chanthakoummane was executed by lethal injection in Huntsville, Texas.
The Aftermath
Sarah Walker’s tragic death brought national attention to the safety concerns of real estate professionals. Her murder was one of several incidents in 2006 that prompted the National Association of Realtors to implement safety protocols, including safety training during open houses and new member orientations. In Collin County, local real estate organizations, such as the Collin County Area Realtors, began offering safety presentations to emphasize the importance of precautions when working alone in model homes.
Kosoul Chanthakoummane, 41, received a lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville and was pronounced dead at 6:33 p.m on August 17, 2022.
Sarah Walker’s Viewing
Cremated, Ashes given to family and friends
