TX TX - Terri 'Missy' Bevers, 45, killed in church/suspect in SWAT gear, Midlothian, 18 Apr 2016 #49

[Inthedetails]

Along the same train of thought as “not experienced criminal”, I do think (in my embarrassed cosplayer scenario) another reason this case is seemingly so cold is this guy probably didn’t/doesn’t have a lot of friends.

If he’s awkward/shy/introverted…he might literally be the only person on earth who has a single shred of info on this case. Worst case for LE is he just goes home around 430 and just sort of pretends like it never happened.

That was my original theory!

I've gone through a few theories over the years, tbh.

jmo

 

[chaz]

I’ve read most of the threads and apologies if I missed if this was discussed (we need an AI summary feature!), but was it normal/well known for Missy to arrive that much earlier than attendees for the workouts? If I were running these classes, I can see arriving at like 4:45 (setup can’t take that long?)…but 4:15 seems really early (correct me if wrong on any of this).

If she was known to arrive super early, I think that helps build a case for crime of passion. Perp knew they would have enough time.

If she wasn’t known for this, it makes premeditated seem a lot less likely to me.

I remember some discussion about Missy's habitual time of arrival at the church so I did some digging. Here are some links:

Post in thread 'TX - Terri 'Missy' Bevers,45, murdered in church/person in SWAT gear,18 Apr 2016 #16'

May 14, 2016

MB stated on FB one time that she leaves home at 3.45am. The reason she stated it that particular day was because she stopped to look at the stars and thinking of her dad, if I recall correctly.

The perp first activated the camera around 3.50am so it seems as though they arrived around the time that MB was leaving home and gave themselves enough time to "stage" the scene while waiting for her to arrive.

She obviously felt secure regarding her safety, she was well liked so she had no idea someone in her life would go as far as this to harm her. She was definitely stalked for some time...

• Limaes

T

Post in thread 'TX - Terri 'Missy' Bevers,45, murdered in church/person in SWAT gear,18 Apr 2016 #18'

May 19, 2016

Are there any campers on forum? Not specifically taking MB's class but who participate in CG's program? Would it have taken MB a full 45 mins to unload her truck and set up for the 5 am class? Her arrival time at the church is curious to me. I've taken 5 am boot camp classes for years and most of us, instructor included, come stumbling in between 4:45 (earliest) - 5 am. When exercising that early in the morning, an extra 30 mins sleep makes a huge difference.
I'm just wondering if she made plans to meet someone at the church a few mins prior to the arrival of the class...

• TXMcMom

Post in thread 'TX - Terri 'Missy' Bevers, 45, killed in church/suspect in SWAT gear, Midlothian, 18 Apr 2016 #46'

May 19, 2021

If this person supposedly put all this movie-worthy strategy and cunning into a plan to murder Missy at the church, why would they still be willing to carry it out when it’s 4:15 and there is STILL no sign of Missy... with early bird campers now likely to arrive within moments of, or simultaneously with, or even BEFORE, Missy?

Missy was not lackadaisical. MB enters at 4:18am or twelve minutes before a couple of her early birds Gladiators are due which would typically allow time for her to unload equipment. SP ends his tour at a location of which we are not certain but can...

• Gumshoe Stories

• 

It varies a little bit but I hope this helps?

 

[FormerlyChucks]

I remember some discussion about Missy's habitual time of arrival at the church so I did some digging. Here are some links:

Post in thread 'TX - Terri 'Missy' Bevers,45, murdered in church/person in SWAT gear,18 Apr 2016 #16'

May 14, 2016

MB stated on FB one time that she leaves home at 3.45am. The reason she stated it that particular day was because she stopped to look at the stars and thinking of her dad, if I recall correctly.

The perp first activated the camera around 3.50am so it seems as though they arrived around the time that MB was leaving home and gave themselves enough time to "stage" the scene while waiting for her to arrive.

She obviously felt secure regarding her safety, she was well liked so she had no idea someone in her life would go as far as this to harm her. She was definitely stalked for some time...

• Limaes

T

Post in thread 'TX - Terri 'Missy' Bevers,45, murdered in church/person in SWAT gear,18 Apr 2016 #18'

May 19, 2016

Are there any campers on forum? Not specifically taking MB's class but who participate in CG's program? Would it have taken MB a full 45 mins to unload her truck and set up for the 5 am class? Her arrival time at the church is curious to me. I've taken 5 am boot camp classes for years and most of us, instructor included, come stumbling in between 4:45 (earliest) - 5 am. When exercising that early in the morning, an extra 30 mins sleep makes a huge difference.
I'm just wondering if she made plans to meet someone at the church a few mins prior to the arrival of the class...

• TXMcMom

Post in thread 'TX - Terri 'Missy' Bevers, 45, killed in church/suspect in SWAT gear, Midlothian, 18 Apr 2016 #46'

May 19, 2021

If this person supposedly put all this movie-worthy strategy and cunning into a plan to murder Missy at the church, why would they still be willing to carry it out when it’s 4:15 and there is STILL no sign of Missy... with early bird campers now likely to arrive within moments of, or simultaneously with, or even BEFORE, Missy?

Missy was not lackadaisical. MB enters at 4:18am or twelve minutes before a couple of her early birds Gladiators are due which would typically allow time for her to unload equipment. SP ends his tour at a location of which we are not certain but can...

• Gumshoe Stories

• 

It varies a little bit but I hope this helps?

Thanks - it does. The most helpful is MB posting on FB that she left at 3:45am (or at minimum left home at 3:45am the day she posted that on FB). Regardless, it appears relatively safe to presume that she was known as arriving very early to prep for class.

Now there’s a related aspect which I’m not sure how much has been discussed: the moving of class indoors. It seems like the perp would have needed to be sure it was being moved indoors for their plan to work. There’s a chance the class could have also been canceled (small chance, I know).

Unless MB posted about the venue change the night before, I feel like the perp wouldn’t have been 100 percent sure of change as they got ready. I’m presuming (correct me if wrong) that the FB post you referenced was from a different day than the fatal one.

So perp would need to have a few variables go right to even have an opportunity that morning.

Lastly, I’d argue that killing MB on a different day when the class was held outdoors would have been a lot easier. Especially since it appears they had a gun. The plan to kill her indoors seems really needlessly complicated. She would have been literally alone in a dark in an empty parking lot for an extended period of time.

 

[FormerlyChucks]

Thanks - it does. The most helpful is MB posting on FB that she left at 3:45am (or at minimum left home at 3:45am the day she posted that on FB). Regardless, it appears relatively safe to presume that she was known as arriving very early to prep for class.

Now there’s a related aspect which I’m not sure how much has been discussed: the moving of class indoors. It seems like the perp would have needed to be sure it was being moved indoors for their plan to work. There’s a chance the class could have also been canceled (small chance, I know).

Unless MB posted about the venue change the night before, I feel like the perp wouldn’t have been 100 percent sure of change as they got ready. I’m presuming (correct me if wrong) that the FB post you referenced was from a different day than the fatal one.

So perp would need to have a few variables go right to even have an opportunity that morning.

Lastly, I’d argue that killing MB on a different day when the class was held outdoors would have been a lot easier. Especially since it appears they had a gun. The plan to kill her indoors seems really needlessly complicated. She would have been literally alone in a dark in an empty parking lot for an extended period of time.

I suppose the perp doing it indoors does have some advantages in terms of lack of witnesses. It would help if we knew their parking situation (did they park at church? Were they all dressed up when they arrived?), but seems like those will forever be unknowns.

Parking situation would give us a better sense of whether the perp knew security cams were non-functional. And if we did have a better sense of this, we would also have better sense whether the murder was premeditated.

If goal was homicide, and homicide was committed with gun, then basically the equivalent of a drive by makes more sense if perp knew camera was off.

Three most obvious flaws I see in my above logic is that:

• it seems possible they removed bullets from victim. This would be a lot harder to achieve undetected outdoors (it takes time).
• Indoors does allow for better knowledge of new potential witnesses (victims) entering crime scene. Doors opening, voices, etc. In premeditated situation I’d imagine perp kills witnesses, unless there’s too many.
• I don’t know how visible the church parking lot is from surrounding area including roads. But a quick shooting at that time and speeding off (without plates) would probably still be safer than what perp actually did.

I’m yammering on about these hypotheticals because having more informed opinions on them would lead to a more informed opinion on whether murder was premeditated and finally, a better sense of the type of person whodunit.

 

[ilovewings]

-- and they say there are no perfect crimes------ well, this one sure looks like one to me

 

[StarryStarryNight]

Along the same train of thought as “not experienced criminal”, I do think (in my embarrassed cosplayer scenario) another reason this case is seemingly so cold is this guy probably didn’t/doesn’t have a lot of friends.

If he’s awkward/shy/introverted…he might literally be the only person on earth who has a single shred of info on this case. Worst case for LE is he just goes home around 430 and just sort of pretends like it never happened.

I’ve always felt it was a scenario similar to what you describe.
I really don’t think the wanderer was there to kill anyone, just to “tinker” around and play dress up. They were startled when someone showed up and massively overreacted.

 

[Inthedetails]

I suppose the perp doing it indoors does have some advantages in terms of lack of witnesses. It would help if we knew their parking situation (did they park at church? Were they all dressed up when they arrived?), but seems like those will forever be unknowns.

Parking situation would give us a better sense of whether the perp knew security cams were non-functional. And if we did have a better sense of this, we would also have better sense whether the murder was premeditated.

If goal was homicide, and homicide was committed with gun, then basically the equivalent of a drive by makes more sense if perp knew camera was off.

Three most obvious flaws I see in my above logic is that:

• it seems possible they removed bullets from victim. This would be a lot harder to achieve undetected outdoors (it takes time).
• Indoors does allow for better knowledge of new potential witnesses (victims) entering crime scene. Doors opening, voices, etc. In premeditated situation I’d imagine perp kills witnesses, unless there’s too many.
• I don’t know how visible the church parking lot is from surrounding area including roads. But a quick shooting at that time and speeding off (without plates) would probably still be safer than what perp actually did.

I’m yammering on about these hypotheticals because having more informed opinions on them would lead to a more informed opinion on whether murder was premeditated and finally, a better sense of the type of person whodunit.

I followed this case very closely at the beginning but not so much as the years went by.

But, was it confirmed Missy was shot with a gun?? I recall a hammer was found but no official confirmation on the murder weapon.

jmopinion

 

[FormerlyChucks]

I followed this case very closely at the beginning but not so much as the years went by.

But, was it confirmed Missy was shot with a gun?? I recall a hammer was found but no official confirmation on the murder weapon.

jmopinion

I could definitely be wrong there. Thought people on here were saying puncture wounds == bullet wounds. Honestly a hammer alone sounds more personal but also paradoxically perhaps less premeditated (“oh s***” kind of thing).

I have a hard time buying that the bumbling goofball we see on camera who seemed relatively calm was preparing to literally hammer someone to death in a matter of minutes. There’s a reason why most non-firearm homicides seem more impulsive/not planned. It’s gotta be super hard to stay emotional enough to wait around for the victim to arrive and then bludgeon them to death. Not to mention the increased risk they will fight back or otherwise live.

 

[joe jones]

I keep hoping somebody will make a documentary or a Netflix type show to bring some attention to this case, a deep dive podcast would also shine a light on her murder, and hopefully bring forth new information to solve it,

I am of the belief that it is personal, somebody went there to kill her, and I still don't know if I am sure if murderer is male or female, I lean towards female most days though, I also think LE have some ideas of who there suspect/s are, but there are more than one suspect/s on the list, with differing motives, and they just don't have enough evidence to prove it,
I hope one day to learn who she/he is

 

[Inthedetails]

I keep hoping somebody will make a documentary or a Netflix type show to bring some attention to this case, a deep dive podcast would also shine a light on her murder, and hopefully bring forth new information to solve it,

I am of the belief that it is personal, somebody went there to kill her, and I still don't know if I am sure if murderer is male or female, I lean towards female most days though, I also think LE have some ideas of who there suspect/s are, but there are more than one suspect/s on the list, with differing motives, and they just don't have enough evidence to prove it,
I hope one day to learn who she/he is

My current theory is female wandering around the church with a male partner in the vestibule.

But, what do I know.

jmopinion

 

[FormerlyChucks]

I keep hoping somebody will make a documentary or a Netflix type show to bring some attention to this case, a deep dive podcast would also shine a light on her murder, and hopefully bring forth new information to solve it,

I am of the belief that it is personal, somebody went there to kill her, and I still don't know if I am sure if murderer is male or female, I lean towards female most days though, I also think LE have some ideas of who there suspect/s are, but there are more than one suspect/s on the list, with differing motives, and they just don't have enough evidence to prove it,
I hope one day to learn who she/he is

I don’t want to break forum rules (or basic online decorum), but there’s reasons why I’m doubtful it was a woman over a romantic thing. In other words, I’m somewhat discounting this was a woman who was killing out of jealous rage over a real or perceived fling the victim had with a man. I’ll leave it to those reading this to get the subtext I’m putting down.

Since the above is the main scenario I can see where a woman would be the perp, I’m leaning towards man. I’m skeptical about the multiple perp theory, as I think we’d be aware of evidence for this possibility (of which I’m unaware of).

Of course, all of this is online conjecture and there’s a excellent chance that I’m completely wrong.

 

[chaz]

The perp's mannerisms look somewhat juvenile, and I don't mean his real age. But wandering around with one hand dragging along a wall is something I have seen many times children doing in grocerystores and other places where the parent(s) take their time and the child is bored.
Also picking up random items seems juvenile like the kids on the beach picking up shells or in the woods picking up brances untill they realize these things are useless and then they drop it.

 

[FormerlyChucks]

Know I’ve posted a lot about this case in the last couple of days, but I wanted to give an additional thought on this:

I’m new posting on this forum, but one thing I’ve noticed is that Websleuths often has the same “very online” biases as Reddit, X, etc etc. What I mean by this is a tendency to lean towards really fictionalized/objectively “interesting” (from a narrative perspective) theories of what happens in these various cases. The Shannan Gilbert case comes immediately to mind, for example.

And while sometimes these quite dramatic/interwoven theories can end up having a kernel or more of truth, really occum’s razor tends to win out the majority of the time.

Which brings me back to this case. At this point, coming up on a decade since the event and with what we know, it feels very probable that this was a situation where a random event (weirdo playing make believe in an empty church) had the unlikely outcome of a homicide.

In a country of 300m people (and really in a world of 8b), weird things occur every day. Churches (especially empty churches) tend to inherently attract these sort of things.

Let’s say statistically you have 100 bizarro things like this happen in various places across America every day. Most days, none of these weird events would result in a homicide. But, like getting hit by lightening, every once in a while it does. That’s how I currently view this.

Because this case appears isolated, the idea of random dude overreacting to getting caught doing weird things seems, well, unsatisfying. But, stepping away from your keyboard for a moment, turning off Netflix and touching grass, nothing we’ve seen with this perp really jives with premeditated murder.

 

[Inthedetails]

Know I’ve posted a lot about this case in the last couple of days, but I wanted to give an additional thought on this:

I’m new posting on this forum, but one thing I’ve noticed is that Websleuths often has the same “very online” biases as Reddit, X, etc etc. What I mean by this is a tendency to lean towards really fictionalized/objectively “interesting” (from a narrative perspective) theories of what happens in these various cases. The Shannan Gilbert case comes immediately to mind, for example.

And while sometimes these quite dramatic/interwoven theories can end up having a kernel or more of truth, really occum’s razor tends to win out the majority of the time.

Which brings me back to this case. At this point, coming up on a decade since the event and with what we know, it feels very probable that this was a situation where a random event (weirdo playing make believe in an empty church) had the unlikely outcome of a homicide.

In a country of 300m people (and really in a world of 8b), weird things occur every day. Churches (especially empty churches) tend to inherently attract these sort of things.

Let’s say statistically you have 100 bizarro things like this happen in various places across America every day. Most days, none of these weird events would result in a homicide. But, like getting hit by lightening, every once in a while it does. That’s how I currently view this.

Because this case appears isolated, the idea of random dude overreacting to getting caught doing weird things seems, well, unsatisfying. But, stepping away from your keyboard for a moment, turning off Netflix and touching grass, nothing we’ve seen with this perp really jives with premeditated murder.

Gee, thanks.

jmo

 

[traveler75223]

Hi, I am brand new to Websleuths so I don't know if this has been mentioned before, but there is a podcast dedicated to the Missy Bevers case, True Crime Broads. Give it a listen and see what you think. A lot of interesting info, especially the episode with Shame and Blizzard of Oz.

 

[FromGermany1]

HOLLYWOOD IS LOOKING FOR WEBSLEUTHS LIKE YOU!​

Are you a great sleuth when it comes to cold cases?
If so, we would like to hear from you.
A production company is working on a new virtual cold case series and would like Websleuths to be a part of it.
Please email me if you feel your cold case skills are sharp and would like to be considered for the new series, and make sure to put your Websleuths User name in the subject line so I know who I'm talking to!
Thank you
Tricia

August 13th, 2025

 

[GoJacks]

I followed this case very closely at the beginning but not so much as the years went by.

But, was it confirmed Missy was shot with a gun?? I recall a hammer was found but no official confirmation on the murder weapon.

jmopinion

It's been a long time but if I remember correctly there was only 1 death In Midlothian that year and it was listed as GSW and people put two and two together.

 

[traveler75223]

In fact the autopsy and official cause of death have never been released.

 

[FormerlyChucks]

In fact the autopsy and official cause of death have never been released.

Pretty sure the cause of death was gettin murdered - Norm McDonald (probably)

(Jk of course)

 

[x_files]

Hi, I am brand new to Websleuths so I don't know if this has been mentioned before, but there is a podcast dedicated to the Missy Bevers case, True Crime Broads. Give it a listen and see what you think. A lot of interesting info, especially the episode with Shame and Blizzard of Oz.

Welcome to Websleuths,
Do you know which Episodes I should look for? Thanks!