Terri “Missy” Bevers, right, and the suspect in her slaying, who was dressed in SWAT gear. (Facebook/Midlothian Police)
A Texas fitness instructor and married mother of three was killed Monday morning at a church in Midlothian, police say.
Police suspect Terri “Missy” Bevers, 45, was slain by a person seen on video at the Creekside Church of Christ wearing black tactical gear similar to how SWAT officers dress, according to a press release from the Midlothian Police Department.
Bevers was found dead by members of her “Camp Gladiator” fitness class, which was set to begin at 5 a.m. at the church, which is in the Dallas area, police said.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Surveillance Video Shows the Killer in SWAT Gear With ‘Police’ Written Across the Back
The killer in the death of Terri “Missy” Bevers was recorded on motion-activated surveillance video inside the Creekside Church of Christ at about 4 a.m., police said. The assailant was dressed to look like a police officer, according to police. It is not known if the person is a man or a woman, and police backtracked on earlier statements that called the killer a he. They are asking the public to help with identifying the killer, saying that the person’s walk may be recognizable.
You can watch the video above and see still photos and additional video below:
According to police, the assailant appears to be dressed in tactical gear with “police” written on the front and the back of the jacket. He or she is also wearing a tactical helmet, gloves and other protective gear, police said.
Police said officers were dispatched to the church at about 5 a.m. after Bevers was found inside. She was scheduled to hold a class at 5 a.m., and it had been moved inside the church because of rain, police said.
She was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not yet said how she was killed. An autopsy has been completed, but police are withholding the results because the investigation is continuing.
On April 27, as part of the investigation, police seized a shirt with blood stains on it that was brought to a Midlothian dry cleaner on April 22, in the days after Bevers’ death by her father-in-law, Randy Bevers.
Randy Bevers told police the blood came from a dog that was injured at his home.
2. Police Say the Suspect Forced Entry Into Other Rooms & a Lot of Broken Glass Was Found
Police said in a press release that the suspect forced his way into the several rooms in the church.
“Officers observed lots of broken glass on the floor,” police said. It is not known if anything was taken.
“It’s just an odd, random situation that they would actually happen to come into a building that was being burglarized on a Monday morning,” Midlothian Police Chief Carl Smith said at a news conference. “But all scenarios are on the table right now.”
3. Bevers Was a ‘Woman of God Who Loved Her Husband, Children & Friends’
Bevers with her husband and daughters. (Facebook)
Terri Bevers, who went by Missy Bevers, is survived by her husband, Brandon Bevers, and their three daughters, ages 15, 13 and 8.
Her husband returned Monday morning from a trip to Mississippi.
“She was very passionate about transforming people’s lives, physically and mentally,” Brandon Bevers told Fox 4. “She transformed herself into a very fit person and her desire to do that for others. I pray that whoever did this would be caught. And I pray for all of the people who cared so much about my wife.”
A friend of Bevers, who was not named, told WFAA-TV, she was a “woman of God who loved her husband, children, and friends.”
Her brother-in-law, Chad Tucker, told KXAS-TV, she loved her husband and “was dedicated to taking care of herself, taking care of other people and being a good mother.”
4. She Posted a Message to Her Class Sunday Night Saying ‘No Excuses, You Are Gladiators’
(Facebook)
Missy Bevers was the leader of Camp Gladiator Midlothian, a boot camp style fitness class. Her last Facebook page Sunday night was a message to those in her class, telling them there would be training Monday morning, despite rain that forced them to hold it inside the church.
“No excuses, you are Gladiators!,” she posted, along with a photo with the message, “if it’s raining, we’re still training.”
Bevers studied to be a fitness trainer at the International Sports Sciences Association, according to her Facebook page.
She wrote on her Facebook profile “about me” section, “Having an Impact on Others and Helping Others Reach Their Fitness & Health Goals is my “PASSION!”
Kevin Locks, the owner and head trainer of Camp Gladiator, posted a message on the Camp Gladiator Midlothian Facebook page:
CG Midlothian, we are deeply saddened to have learned of the tragic loss of Missy Bevers. We have no other information at this time, but we do know the police are looking into what happened. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers in this difficult time. We will pass along information regarding memorial services and where to send condolences once we know more.
5. A $10,000 Reward Has Been Offered for Information Leading to the Suspect
(Facebook)
A $10,000 reward has been offered in the case, police said. It was put forward by Oak Farms Dairy, according to a press release.
The reward will be given to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and grand jury indictment of the suspect in the case.
Anyone with information is asked to call Midlothian Police at 972-775-3333 or Ellis County Crime Stoppers at 972-937-7297.
