Missionaries killed in Haiti by gang are state reps' daughter, son-in-law, nonprofit says

A Missouri State representative early Friday morning reported his daughter and son-in-law, both missionaries in Haiti, were reportedly killed in gang violence in the country.

"My heart is broken in a thousand pieces. I’ve never felt this kind of pain," state Representative Ben Baker posted on Facebook.

"Most of you know my daughter and son-in-law Davy and Natalie Lloyd are full time missionaries in Haiti. They were attacked by gangs this evening and were both killed. They went to Heaven together. Please pray for my family we desperately need strength. And please pray for the Lloyd family as well. I have no other words for now."

Baker, a Republican, represents Newton County (District 160), in the southwest part of the state.

Natalie and Davy Lloyd were part of the nonprofit Missions in Haiti Inc., which posted about the incident and confirmed their deaths.

"Davy and Natalie and Jude were shot and killed by the gang about 9 o'clock this evening," the non-profit posted on social media early Friday. "We all are devastated."

Natalie's and Davy's bodies 'safely transported' to Embassy

In a separate Facebook post shared on Friday, Baker said he received "confirmation from the Embassy that Davy and Natalie’s bodies have been safely transported there now."

"This is a huge answer to prayer for us," the state representative said in the post. "Thank you to everyone who is praying and offering condolences it’s been overwhelming and we can’t thank you enough. Naomi and I and the girls love you all so much."

USA TODAY reached out to Baker's office but has not received a response.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson extended condolences to the family on social media and said they were in his prayers.

"Natalie and Davy were two young people sharing peace, comfort, and God's word," Parson posted on X. "In light of this unimaginable, senseless tragedy, we remember the good they offered the world."

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Taken, 'tied up and beat'

Late Thursday night, Missions in Haiti, Inc, reported the couple and at least one other person were ambushed by a gang of men in three trucks while leaving church.

"Davy was taken to the house tied up and beat," the organization wrote. "The gang then took our trucks and loaded everything up they wanted and left."

The post goes onto read at some point, the couple and another person were in a home attempting to call for help.

"They are holed up in there, the gangs (have) shot all the windows out of the house and continue to shoot," the post reads.

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Who is Ben Baker?

Baker is a minister, missionary, former professor and former dean of students at Ozark Bible Institute in Neosho, according to his legislative webpage.

Originally from Indianapolis, he previously served on the Neosho City Council and as mayor of Neosho, about 20 miles southeast of Joplin, Missouri.

He is married and the couple share four daughters, including Natalie Lloyd.

Unrest in Haiti due to gang violence

In March, Haiti's prime minister resigned amid gang violence in the Carribbean island country.

When Haiti announced a new prime minister in April, gang attacks increased even further, especially in the country's capital, Port-au-Prince.

More than 100,000 Haitians − including a nearly half of the nation's police force − have fled the country since a U.S. humanitarian immigration sponsorship program launched in 2022, The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network reported.

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Haiti travel advisory warning

The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 travel advisory − America's highest warning against travel to a foreign country − for Haiti due to "kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure."

During the first quarter of 2024, nearly 2,500 people have been killed or injured as a result of gang violence, there according to the United Nations.

Contributing: Antigone Barton with the Palm Beach Post

This is a developing story.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Missionaries killed in Haiti include Missouri rep Ben Baker's daughter