Happy Friday!!! We made it! Today is a free write on the April 18, 2016 murder of fitness instructor Missy Bevers. This is one disturbing and still unsolved case. Let’s see what we can do.

Birth & Early Life:

Terri Leann ‘Missy’ Strickland was born on August 9, 1970 in Graham, Texas, to parents James C. and Norma L. Strickland. She grew up with two brothers, Clifford and Clint.

She attended jacksboro High School, graduating in 1998.

Higher Education:

After high school, Missy attended Tarelton State University, where she earned a bachelor of Science degree in 1995. After working in retail following college graduation, she later returned to school to obtain her teaching certification in Special Edition, laying the groundwork for her career as a public school educator working with special needs children.

Missy’s Romantic Life:

Missy met Brandon Bevers, and the couple were together for 20 years before marrying on June 20, 1998. They eventually settled in Red Oaks, Texas and raised three daughters.

Fitness and Hobbies:

Outside of her professional career and family life, her primary focus and personal passion revolved around athletics, health, and fitness. Transitioning from education into being a certified personal trainer, her life heavily centered on leading boot camps, motivating her students through Camp Gladiator, and maintaining an active, rigorous physical lifestyle.

Friends, family, and Camp Gladiator participants routinely highlighted her immense dedication and work-ethic. She lived by a “no excuses” philosophy, famously pushing through harsh weather and early-morning hours to ensure her boot camps took place.

Missy was also very warm and encouraging beyond her drill-instructor exterior workouts, those in her inner circle described her as deeply passionate, nurturing, and genuinely invested in the personal lives and progress of her students.

A Pillar of the community: She was widely viewed as a natural leader and a comforting presence who brought people together, earning fierce loyalty and deep respect from the fitness community she built in Midlothian and Red Oak.

A quick thought, this is one of those unsolved homicides that have no answers, no resolves, or anything like that. I have seen many theories online that point to it either being a botched burglary, or a targeted murder.

I for one believe this was a targeted murder for the following reasons:

There is creepy surveillance footage of the assailant roaming the church halls that was all dressed in police tactical gear. And whoever that individual was, was NOT a cop. This person spent about an hour and a half roaming the church waiting for the arrival of Missy Bevers.

At the end of this post, I will link the surveillance footage so that you guys can decide for yourselves. In my opinion, if this were a burglary, why did this individual roam the church for so long? You’d think in the case of robbing a place, you’d get in, get what you want and then leave.

In the video you can see this person has a hammer. When Missy’s students arrived at the church, they found Missy dead, with puncture wounds to her head and chest. Now I would consider this a targeted crime by someone she knew. Murdering someone with a weapon like a hammer would require a close and intimate encounter. Do you see where I am going with this?

April 17, 2016- The night before Missy’s Murder:

On the night before her death, Missy posted an update for her fitness class to inform them that even though it was raining, the class would still be carrying on as usual, only indoors at the Creekside Church Of Christ in Midlothian, Texas.

For me this is when things kick into high gear. Someone was watching Missy’s Facebook and knew the EXACT time she would be arriving at the church to set up. I honestly wish Missy had someone with her, or at least stashed her gun somewhere (since this is Texas, after all) I am assuming a church wouldn’t allow firearms which I totally understand.

So, the person on the surveillance camera made damn sure to make it to the church before Missy did so that they could attack her.

I have no idea who was in Missy’s inner circle; could have been a stalker situation, or someone she knew personally that knew of her routine.

A Timeline of the night before Missy was killed:

7:55 PM: Missy posted on Facebook to confirm the time and location of the Camp Gladiator boot camp was scheduled for the following morning, writing: “If it’s still raining, we’re still training- NO EXCUSES.. you are Gladiators!”

9:23 PM: She posted another update on Facebook stating that she was heading to bed because she had to wake up at 3:30 AM. (pay attention to the time)

9:30 PM: She and her husband, Brandon, spoke briefly on the phone before she went to sleep and said “I love you” At this time, Brandon was in Mississippi for a work trip.

• I will state that both Brandon, Missy’s husband, and her father-in-Law, Randy were both out of town, as both Alibis check out.

The Killer:

The Suspect (s): I do not know if this was a one person job or not, but since we don’t know the identity of the killer, we will just leave it ambiguous.

The Timeline:

2:00 AM: There was a light- colored 2010-2012 Nissan Altima pulled into a nearby SWFA outdoors parking lot, circling around, and sits for a few minutes before driving off. Police flagged the vehicle of interest but were unable to identify the driver.

3:50 AM: The suspect is first captured on the interior security cameras breaking into the Creekside Church of Christ.

3:50-4:00 AM: The individual wanders the hallways for roughly an hour, using a hammer or similar tool to smash glass, force open doors, and peer into rooms.

4:16 AM-4:20 AM: Missy’s pickup truck pulls into the church parking lot, and she enters the building to begin setting up for her 5:AM boot camp.

5:00 AM: Early- arriving class participants walk into the church, find Missy unresponsive, and place frantic 911 calls. Missy is pronounced dead at the scene from multiple puncture wounds to the head and chest.

The Suspect & Surveillance Analysis:

The intruder was dressed head to toe in heavy police tactical gear. Including a black helmet, heavy gloves, and a tactical vest prominently marked with the word “POLICE.” They carried a hammer-like tool ( presumed to be the murder weapon)

Physical Stature & Gait: The suspect is estimated to be around 5’8″ tall. Investigators focused heavily on the suspect’s walk; describing a slow, deliberate, or “duck-like” waddle where they appeared to favor or have difficulty moving their right foot or leg. Police consulted forensic podiatrists to analyze rather the gait was intentional as a disguise, or a natural gait.

Gender Confusion: Law enforcement initially suggested that the suspect may be male, but later backtracked when stating that while the physical mannerisms or walk could appear feminine, the true gender, race, and identity remain unknown.

Key Details:

Since we don’t know who murdered Missy, we can all pretty much conclude that this was not a robbery. Seeing as how the individual did not take anything of value from the church, or Missy. As Missy’s personal belongs where still on her person as she was killed.

A lot of people who have looked into this case and felt like it was a targeted attack. When you think of how it all aligns; Missy’s Facebook post, her mentioning the time she would be arriving at the church, are all too disturbing to be just a random kill.

It is apparent that someone close to Missy, or perhaps wanted to be close to her, was tracking her every movement. And whoever it was, was waiting and watching for the perfect time to strike; with Missy’s husband, Brandon being out of town, to Missy arriving all alone to a dark and empty church.

Also why would someone just wander a church? ya know what they SHOULD have done? Prayed to JESUS. Because what in the flying shit is this!? it was more than likely a personal vendetta held against Missy for whatever reason.

But you know what? I don’t give a flying sparkling pancake what the reason was! DO. NOT. MURDER. IT REALLY ISN’T THAT HARD, chat. Damn.

Law enforcement subpoenaed Missy’s digital devices, uncovering strange or flirtatious messages on LinkedIn and other platforms to see if Missy was being monitored online. Which is the most probable thing in this case considering the suspect arrived at the church before Missy did.

Closing Thoughts:

This is a very haunting case when you take a look at the elements. A few days before Missy’s death, Missy shared with one of her friends that she had received a “creepy & strange” message from an unknown man on LinkedIn. However, we don’t publicly know a lot of information so I am not certain if that person is responsible.

There was also some eyebrows raised on Brandon’s father, Randy Bevers. The reason being is that he walks with a distinctive gait as well. He even further bought attention to himself when he visited a local cleaners with blood on a shirt.

The shirt was sent to forensic testing but was found to be animal blood. Plus like I mentioned above, both Brandon and Randy have alibis. Randy was in San Diego at the time of Missy’s murder.

The aftermath:

It has been quite sometime since Missy was brutally killed and still no answers. The whole situation is very tragic, sad, and confusing because… why? I do not think there is a logical reason to resort to murder if you have a vendetta against someone. Make it stop, already.

I would love to deep dive this case but due to Missy’s husband stating that he is no longer searching for Missy’s killer and wants peace, for himself and his daughters, I think I will leave this as it is.

To Missy: I have no words to describe what happened to you, or why it happened. But I do hope that justice will find you one day. I believe it will no matter how impossible it may seem. My thoughts are always with you, your family, and especially your three daughters. May they find peace in this cold world, and may your light continue to guide them through life.

Rest In Peace, Missy ❤

-L.W. ✨