A woman from Iowa who survived a harrowing kidnapping, where she was slashed in the throat and run over multiple times by a van, has spoken out in court and found her strength after enduring years of abuse.
The two individuals responsible for the attack, Jordan Blake Mangum, 42, and Jessica Ann Marie Wheeler, 36, were both sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their roles in the brutal assault.
The Kidnapping and Attack
The horrific incident took place on December 2, 2023, when Mangum and Wheeler entered the home of Luna Cox in Des Moines. They bound Cox’s hands with duct tape before forcing her into a minivan and driving her to various locations. At one of the locations, they attacked her, slashing her throat and running her over several times with the vehicle.
Mangum and Wheeler had been attempting to intimidate Cox into dropping a domestic violence case she had filed against Mangum. The attack was meant to prevent her from testifying, but Cox’s courage and determination ultimately helped her survive. After pleading for her life, Cox was dropped off at a hospital, where she received life-saving medical attention.
The Sentences
Mangum was sentenced to up to 45 years in prison, with eligibility for parole after serving 22 years. Wheeler received a 35-year sentence and must serve at least 17 years before being eligible for parole. Both were convicted for their roles in the kidnapping, assault, and attempted murder.
Mangum entered an Alford plea, acknowledging there was enough evidence for a conviction, but not admitting guilt. Wheeler pleaded guilty to attempted murder and kidnapping.
Cox’s Powerful Statement
At the sentencing, Cox bravely spoke about the abuse she endured from Mangum throughout their 10-year relationship, describing it as “control masquerading as care.” She described her road to recovery as difficult, filled with overwhelming emotions, but she found strength in her healing process.
“I am reclaiming my voice,” Cox said in her statement, reflecting on the power of sharing her story and demanding justice. She spoke of her determination not to let anyone diminish her dignity and emphasized the importance of focusing on her safety and building a life of happiness.
Cox, who is raising her and Mangum’s 6-year-old son on her own, also continues to work and pursue an education in accounting.
The Courtroom Remarks
During the sentencing, Judge Joseph Seidlin addressed Mangum directly, pointing out that he had attempted to kill the mother of his child. “What you, Mr. Mangum, did to the mother of your child, was that you kidnapped her, assaulted her and tried to kill her,” Seidlin stated, rejecting Mangum’s apology, which he described as inadequate.
Wheeler, on the other hand, attempted to downplay her involvement, blaming Mangum for the incident. She claimed the duo had only spoken “jokingly” about kidnapping Cox, but Judge Seidlin found her explanation lacking.
He criticized Wheeler for not stopping the attack when she had the chance, calling the incident “grotesque from start to finish.”
The sentences handed down to Mangum and Wheeler reflect the severity of their actions, but for Cox, the journey toward healing continues. As she rebuilds her life and reclaims her voice, Cox’s bravery in facing both her past and her attackers serves as an inspiration to others who have suffered abuse.
Her story is one of survival, strength, and courage in the face of unimaginable violence.
