Eight years after Missy Bevers was killed, vigil aims to keep her unsolved case ‘alive’
Terri “Missy” Bevers transformed people’s lives in many ways — as a teacher, fitness instructor, andmom to three. She was passionate about each role she took on in her life.
“Missy lived out her life with great passion for family, friends, love, and laughter,” said Susan McConnell at a candlelight vigil in Midlothian. “She can light up a room with her smile.”
She left an impact on those who knew her, those attending the vigil said.
She loved “everyone she came in contact with,” said McConnell. “Missy was and always will be an inspiration.”
Residents from Midlothian, Waxahachie, and even as far away as Waco and Temple, gathered at Kimmel Park on Thursday night to remember the life of Bevers, who was killed on April 18, 2016. Her murder remains unsolved. A memorial stone and tree were planted at the same park last year in her memory.
“Today’s time allows us to grieve and pray together the prayers that we have prayed for the past eight years and the prayer that we will continue to say until justice is found,” said Kaitlynn Shannon, a pastor from Troy, Texas. “We are able to be upset about what happened. We are able to hold people accountable who are exposed to bring justice truth. We are able to be angry about the things that we have experienced.”
Organizers of the event said it was “very important to keep Missy’s case alive,” as there has been no arrest made in Bevers’ murder.
Renae Rodden, a former co-worker of Bevers, showed her gratitude for the people gathered at the vigil.
“It is very important to the community, it’s important to Missy’s legacy that we all stay together and we all keep talking about this case until somebody comes forward and gives that tip that’s gonna solve it,” said Rodden.
Bevers died from puncture wounds to her head and chest when she was attacked as she was setting up to teach a boot camp fitness class at the Creekside Church of Christ in Midlothian. Surveillance images from inside the church showed the apparent culprit clad in SWAT team style tactical gear who had broken into the building and had been inside for some time before the killing.
Bevers’ students found her dead inside the church around 5 a.m., about 30 minutes after she arrived that morning.
“We won’t stop until it’s solved,” said Rodden.
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Bevers first worked as a teacher and spent years being a stay-at-home mom. But many remember the last couple of years of Bevers’ life, when she pursued fitness as an opportunity to teach again.
“Missy was more than just a Camp Gladiator instructor trying to help you become more physically fit. She wanted her campers to also be mentally, emotionally, and spiritually fit,” said McConnell. “She decided to transform other people’s lives through fitness.”
While Bevers’ life was tragically taken from her, people everywhere can continue to learn about her, when the community comes together, says Shannon.
“You get to know her in this way by either sharing her story, sharing her love for creation and love for one another, and being a part of your community,” said Shannon. “That’s the way that death does not win.”
