MIDLOTHIAN, Texas — The surveillance video showed a person in police-style tactical gear, roaming the halls of Creekside Church of Christ in Midlothian, shortly before Missy Bevers was murdered there on April 18, 2016.
But three years and more than 2,000 tips later, the case remains unsolved: No arrests, no suspects or persons of interest named.
Bevers, a 45-year-old mother of three, was at the church that morning to lead a fitness class. She died of puncture wounds to her head and chest, officials said.
On Thursday, the three-year anniversary of her death, Midlothian police issued a news release on the case, asking anyone who might have information on Bevers' death to come forward.
"It is our sincere belief that this murder will be solved through collaboration with the public," the news release said. "We believe that somebody who has not yet come forward may have that vital piece of information that to this date unknowingly is being withheld."
Police also went over several key aspects of the investigation:
The investigation today
• Investigators are still actively working the case, meeting once a week to review new leads. The team splits time between following up on those new leads and reviewing the case file. Over 2,000 tips have been submitted, including multiple tips weekly.
• Investigators have presented the case to homicide investigator associations for review, but "no new substantial investigative work was generated," the release said.
The gun found at the scene
• A gun was found inside Bevers' vehicle at the church, but investigators confirmed that it belonged to Bevers and wasn't used in her killing.
The person in police-type gear
• Analysis estimated the height of the person – from the top of their headwear – to be about 5-foot-8, police said. As for the gear, police aren't sure if it was authentic.
• The person on the video also appeared to have a unique walk, with their feet turned outward, "more predominantly on the right foot," police said. Investigators are interested in people "who fall within or near this height range, and have a similar walk or gait or may have had a similar walk or gait" at the time of the Bevers' killing. Police noted that it's possible the person's unique walk was caused by a temporary condition.
The vehicle nearby
• Surveillance video at a business near the church showed a vehicle in the parking lot in the hours before Bevers was killed. Investigators are still interested in the vehicle, described as being similar to a 2010-2012 Nissan Altima or 2010-2012 Infiniti G37.
Police said the vehicle was seen driving slowly around the business, with its lights turning off and on. The driver parked briefly, before leaving the parking lot.
How to submit tips
• Text MIDL and your tip to 847411
• Call Crime Stoppers of Ellis County at 972-937-PAYS (7297)
• On the Midlothian Police Department Facebook page, submit a private message or click the tip link posted on the page.