Iowa man sentenced for kidnapping ex, strangling her, slashing her throat, and running over her

POLK COUNTY, Iowa (TCN) -- A man and a woman will spend time behind bars in connection with the kidnapping and attempted killing of the male defendant’s former girlfriend.

The Polk County Attorney’s Office announced July 25 that a judge sentenced Jordan Mangum to up to 45 years after he pleaded guilty last month to attempted murder, kidnapping, assault while participating in a felony, and domestic abuse impeding air/blood flow causing injury. He’ll have to serve at least 22.5 years before parole eligibility.

Mangum’s co-defendant, Jessica Wheeler, received up to 35 years in prison and will have to serve at least 17.5 years. Wheeler pleaded guilty to attempted murder and kidnapping.

According to prosecutors, on Dec. 2, 2023, Mangum and Wheeler went into Luna Cox’s home, "bound her hands with duct tape, and forced her into a minivan."

The defendants reportedly transported Cox to Mangum’s home, where he tied her up and took her to another location. Prosecutors said the victim was strangled, run over several times, and had her throat slashed. The victim reportedly "pleaded" with Mangum to stop, and he dropped her off at a hospital later that evening.

Authorities had arrested Mangum approximately two weeks before the incident on a charge of domestic abuse against Cox. Prosecutors said Cox claimed the defendants "attacked her on Dec. 2 to pressure her to drop the case, and when she refused, their acts escalated."

Cox reportedly made an impact statement, describing the "physical, psychological, and emotional abuse she had suffered during her relationship of more than 11 years," adding, "The hardest part was realizing that what I endured was not love but control masquerading as care."

Prosecutors quoted Cox, who said, "The road to recovery has rarely been simple for me. There are moments when feelings like anger and sadness become overwhelming. Even so, this journey has reignited my determination — not to allow anyone else to define who I am or diminish my dignity. By engaging in therapy, reaching out to supportive people, and trusting my own intuition, I am focusing not just on safety but also on building a life filled with genuine happiness."

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