Who killed Missy Bevers? After 8 years, police still have no suspect
MIDLOTHIAN, Texas - Thursday marks eight years since Missy Bevers was murdered at a church in Ellis County. Police still have not found her killer.
Midlothian's chief of police says the investigation into Bevers’ death has never ended. He says the department has received more than 3,000 tips since her murder.
Thursday evening, community members kept Bevers' memory alive by holding a vigil in her honor.
Bevers was a 45-year-old mother of three and a Camp Gladiator instructor. She was killed on April 18, 2016, at the Creekside Church of Christ in Midlothian as she prepared to teach an early morning fitness class.
CONTINUED COVERAGE: Missy Bevers Murder Investigation
Security video from that morning is grimly familiar to many. A mysterious person in tactical gear with a distinct walk can be seen roaming the halls clutching a hammer.
Bevers’ students later found her body inside the church with a fatal puncture wound to the head and chest.
There is also video of a silver Nisan Altima seen in the area before Bevers’ death.
But even with those video clips, police were never able to identify a suspect.
Thursday, a group held a vigil for Bevers on the anniversary of her death at Kimmel Park in Midlothian, where they planted a tree for her last year.
Many in the community know the tragic story.
"It gives you nightmares. It makes you very scared," said vigil organizer Renae Rodden, who worked with Bevers. "Why isn’t it solved?"
The Midlothian Police Department says it’s received more than 3,000 tips. However, while well-intentioned, most of those tips lacked enough information to investigate.
There’s been speculation and rumors about who’s responsible, but the department says it’s not comfortable releasing names of past or present suspects.
Rodden says there’s a primary goal for the vigil.
"So tips will keep coming in," she said.
Midlothian Police Chief Carl Smith declined an on-camera interview with FOX 4 but shared a lengthy statement on the case below.