Midlothian Police Release New Surveillance Video Of Murder Suspect
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MIDLOTHIAN (CBSDFW.COM) - Police in Midlothian now know how a local fitness instructor and mother of three died. The Dallas County Medical Examiner's office has completed a preliminary autopsy on Terri "Missy" Bevers; but, Midlothian detectives are closely guarding details, they say, in order to protect the investigation.
Bevers was found murdered early Monday in the Creekside Church of Christ where she taught an early morning fitness class.
"We are not speculating on the motive of the suspect or whether there are any prevailing theories to explain this particular crime," said Asst. Chief Kevin Johnson in a press release. The department is also clarifying a statement in an earlier release that used the word "he" when referring to the suspect. "At this point, there are insufficient facts to justify referring to the suspect as either a male or female, as we acknowledge either is possible."
Midlothian police are asking the public to watch surveillance video captured of the suspect inside the church, in the hope that something strikes someone as familiar. Bevers' husband, Brandon, today made that same request. "Look at the video," said Bevers. "The person has a very distinct walk. There's just a very distinct mannerism about this person that should be apparent to somebody."
Bevers spoke to reporters today to ask for privacy for his family—and to plead for the public to pay close attention to the surveillance video in the hope that someone would notice something familiar. He says he had gone on his annual fishing trip to Biloxi, Mississippi, and on Sunday night issued what he thought was just another of two decades of 'good night' exchanges.
"I called her around 9, 9:30 to tell her 'I love her' and she was already half asleep," said Bevers.
According to Midlothian police, a heavily disguised suspect was already inside the Creekside church when Bevers arrived to teach her Camp Gladiators fitness class Monday just before 5 a.m. Arriving students found her unresponsive. She had signs of trauma on her body; but, police are not releasing details.
"Is it real yet? No, it's not real yet. No it's not," said Bevers.
Police officials said tips are coming in. They also hope a $10,000 reward offered by Oak Farms Dairy will generate even more. Information can be phoned in anonymously to Ellis County Crime Stoppers at 972.937.PAYS (7292).
The surveillance video of the suspect has been viewed more than 100,000 times in the first 24 hours. Brandon Bevers said he, too, has searched that video looking for clues and insists that what has been referred to in the media as 'tactical gear' is not an accurate description.
"That wasn't tactical gear," said Bevers. "That was a shoddy amount of clothing to look like an enforcement officer. The pants look like some kind of flimsy sweat pants or something. But, the jacket was just a generic police jacket—velour looking police jacket—and I couldn't even identify the helmet."
Neither could Bevers think of why anyone would want to harm his wife. "This world is full of evil people… " was his only reply when asked.