Fitness trainer Missy Bevers’ killing continues to perplex Texas police

Jason Sickles

DALLAS — Investigators on Friday said they have a better timeline of when a popular fitness trainer was slain inside a North Texas church, but still aren’t close to an arrest in the bizarre case.

The body of Missy Bevers, a mother of three, was discovered at about 5 a.m. on Monday by students arriving to attend her group boot camp class in Midlothian, a small community 25 miles southwest of Dallas.

Missy Bevers, 45, was killed shortly after arriving at a Dallas-area church to teach a fitness class. (Facebook)
Missy Bevers, 45, was killed shortly after arriving at a Dallas-area church to teach a fitness class. (Facebook)

Surveillance cameras inside the Creekside Church of Christ didn’t capture the killing, but did record images of Bevers’ arrival and of the mysterious person Midlothian police suspect of taking the 45-year-old’s life.

Video of the suspect, seen walking the church halls dressed head-to-toe in police tactical gear, has bewildered authorities and the public all week.

Officials, hoping for a break in the case, released additional footage of the suspect Friday afternoon.

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“Detectives would like the public to focus in on the mannerisms and distinguishing walk of the suspect,” said Assistant Chief Kevin Johnson with the Midlothian Police Department. “Investigators have been able to estimate the height of the suspect being approximately 5’08 – 5’09 tall. Investigators believe that someone still has information or may recognize the suspect in this case.”

The church’s cameras were motion-activated, causing recordings in different sequences, but police have been able to stitch together a better timeline, which they also released Friday.

Monday, April 18, 2016

3:50 a.m. — Suspect first appears on video surveillance camera at Creekside Church of Christ.

4:16 a.m. — Mrs. Bevers’ pickup truck is shown on video surveillance driving into the church parking lot.

4:20 a.m. — Mrs. Bevers appears on video surveillance camera walking into the church building.

4:35 a.m. — Participant in Camp Gladiator arrives at location.

5:00 a.m. — First of two 911 calls received from location.

5:03 a.m. — Initial Patrol Officers dispatched along with EMS to the location.

5:10 a.m. — Officers arrive at the location.

Source: Midlothian Police Department

Officials have not revealed how Bevers was slain, but a search warrant obtained by reporters on Thursday stated investigators believe she was struck in the head with an unknown object. The warrant was obtained to search Bevers’ pickup truck, where detectives found her purse, iPad and other valuables still inside. Nothing was apparently taken from the church either, authorities said.

Police acknowledged on Friday that tools were found at the crime scene, but declined to elaborate on anything only the killer might know.

The video shows the person going from door to door inside the church wielding what looks like a hammer.

“We are excited to see all your smiling faces in the morning!” Bevers wrote in her final Facebook post. (Screen shot)
“We are excited to see all your smiling faces in the morning!” Bevers wrote in her final Facebook post. (Screen shot)

Police said damage was found throughout the building.

“We don’t understand all the movement within the church,” Johnson said.

Because stranger-on-stranger murders are so rare, Bevers’ spouse of 20 years has been the subject of scrutiny throughout the week.

Brandon Bevers, her husband, has said he was on an annual fishing trip in Biloxi, Miss., at the time of the slaying. Police were asked about his alibi on Friday.

“We’re closer to an absolute confirmation,” Johnson said. “Her husband is cooperating in the investigation.”

Later, he added, “At this point, everything’s on the table … we simply just don’t know.”

Bevers used Facebook, Twitter and other social media to publicly promote her fitness classes and other entrepreneurial endeavors. Her last Facebook update — published Sunday, about nine hours before her body was discovered — advertised that she would be at the church early Monday for her regular fitness class, causing police to consider if Bevers was targeted.

“This case is weighing heavy on the community and our investigative team. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Bevers family and our entire Midlothian community. We will vigorously pursue the person or persons responsible and bring them to justice,” said Midlothian police Chief Carl Smith.

Jason Sickles is a national reporter for Yahoo News. Follow him on Twitter (@jasonsickles).