Murder by Church Leaders or Their Staff – 1970 – 1979
These are just a few of the killing incidents we have identified. Most entries on these pages only contain arrests, charges, or indictments, which may eventually be reduced, dropped, or expunged, and as such, these actors may in fact be innocent in a court of law. These are just a few of the murders, attempted murders, and justifiable homicides we have identified. There are many more to be uploaded, so please check back.
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1979
- Cases to be added. Please check back.
1978
- Sandhills Community Church, Luarinburg, NC. James William Rupard (former pastor) convicted of double homicide of both parents by shooting. North Carolina: Pastor’s 30 year old double-murder conviction shocks many.
1977
- Cases to be added. Please check back.
1976
- Shiloh Full Gospel Church, Bayview, CA. James Mayfield (deacon) convicted of killing a young female artist. The rape murder came to trial in 2013. James Mayfield, Church Deacon, Guilty of 1976 Rape and Murder of Jenny Read.
1975
- Cornerstone Church (megachurch), Madison, TN. Maury Davis (pastor) was convicted of manslaughter for the brutal killing of a Sunday School teacher. The victim was beheaded. Two killings, but just one shot at redemption.
- Trinity Church Chapel Christian Reform Church, Bible Camp, Delaware County, GA. David Zandstra (former pastor) confessed to authorities that he killed an eight-year-old girl who was attending a Bible camp for which the pastor was involved as a host. He was charged with murder, kidnapping, and other charges. Former Pastor Arrested, 1975 Murder Young Girl Walking To Church.
1974
- Unidentified church, Hilltop, AZ. Johnny Lee Riley (former pastor) pled guilty to second-degree murder in killing of a motel manager during a robbery attempt. Ex-minister gets 10 years for Arizona slaying. Newslibrary.com.
- Christ Lutheran Church, Witchita, KS. Dennis Lynn Rader (president of church council) killed 10 victims. Known as the BTK, he was a serial killer. Dennis Rader, Wikipedia.
1972
- St. Adalbert Catholic Church, Chicago, IL. Richard Lavigne (priest) suicided as he was about to be held accountable for murder with criminal charges for killing a young teen boy, Danny Croteau. The dead victim was found along the riverbank. The priest was a registered sex offender when he died by suicide. Former catholic priest dies same day he was due to be charged with 1972 murder.
1971
- First Black Church of the Messiah, Wilmington, NC. Ben Chavis (pastor) was charged with “conspiracy to murder,” having been accused of participating in a “sniper shooting of Harvey Edward Cumber.” The white victim was found shot in a majority black neighborhood. Militant Black pastor arrested on murder-conspiracy charge. Danville Register and Bee (Danville, VA). 17-Mar-1972, p. 14.
1970
- Harrisonburg Church of Christ, Harrisonburg, VA. William M. Drumheller III (pastor) unknown to his church had a murder conviction beating a child to death in anger years earlier. He also was convicted of a Medicare scam in in about 1989. ‘We let a wolf in’: He seemed like the perfect preacher — until his flock discovered his murder conviction.
- Unidentified church, West Richland, OR. Edmund Lopes (pastor) 1970 murder of wife was committed by a mafia hit-man (serial killer). Parole violator Edmund Lopes, convicted in ’70s of murdering wife, dies in prison.