Frank Heinz

Missy Bevers Died From Multiple Puncture Wounds to Head and Chest: Police

A $10,000 reward was offered for information leading to a conviction

Midlothian police released the search warrant issued the day after 45-year-old Terri "Missy" Leann Bevers was killed inside the Creekside Church of Christ last month.

The warrant issued late in the afternoon of April 19 and obtained May 3, states that Bevers "had multiple puncture wounds found on her head and chest" that "are consistent with tools the suspect was carrying throughout the building."

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Midlothian police released surveillance video showing a person of interest in the Bevers case walking through a church shortly before the married mother of three was killed on April 18.

The warrant describes the person as wearing "a black helmet, black balaclava, dark pants, dark long sleeve shirt, black gloves, and a black vest with Police in white lettering on the front and back."

The warrant says the subject is seen "walking throughout the building holding a hammer, breaking windows and going through offices."

Bevers was attacked after arriving just after 4 a.m. to teach an early-morning Camp Gladiator workout class, police said.

Police released a few frames of the video, noting the person's distinctive gait and mannerisms, hoping it would help identify the unknown person.

"We are just hoping that somebody will see something that piques their interest and spurs their memory, so that they may make a connection to somebody they know and provide us that tip," said Midlothian's Assistant Police Chief Kevin Johnson.

Midlothian police released a longer clip showing the person walking through different parts of the church and swinging what appears to be a large hammer. Police indicated it was found near her body along with other tools from the church.

"Detectives would like the public to focus in on the mannerisms and distinguishing walk of the suspect," Johnson said, "Investigators believe that someone still has information or may recognize the suspect in this case."

Police said the indoor surveillance system at the church is motion-activated and that results in different time sequences. If there was no movement captured by the camera system, the video would stop recording. Video surveillance times are approximate, police said.

Investigators first said the person in the video is a man. They later backed away from that assertion and said they weren't sure of the person's gender. When asked about potential suspects, Johnson said they were considering a long list of people.

Bevers is believed to have been in the church only moments before she ran into the person in black. Her students later found her unresponsive inside the church — she was later declared dead by a Justice of the Peace. Police said in a previous search warrant that Bevers had a head wound, but offered no other details about her death.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the department's tip line at 972-775-7624. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward and can also remain anonymous by contacting Ellis County Crime Stoppers at 972-937-PAYS (7297).

Oak Farms Dairy has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and grand jury indictment of the person or persons responsible.

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