On April 18, 2016, the body of fitness instructor Missy Beavers is found at Creekside Church of Christ in Midlothian, Texas.

Bevers' murder gained significant media attention after Midlothian police released surveillance footage from inside the church. Captured around the time period shortly before Bevers' murder, the surveillance footage shows an unknown person, dressed in what appears to be police tactical gear, walking around the church's hallways. Police believe the person in the video is Bevers' murderer.

In this episode of "Zone 7," Crime Scene Investigator Sheryl McCollum talks with guests Crystal and Renae from True Crime Broads. They explore the peculiarities of Missy Beavers's unsolved crime, the influence of social media on investigations, and the power of civilian involvement in solving cases.

With backgrounds as diverse as motherhood and a passion for true crime, Crystal and Renae bring unique perspectives to the discussion. 

Show Notes:

• [0:00] Welcome back to Zone 7 with Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum.  Sheryl shares an inspiring story of her friend Betsy, who sets up a house for domestic violence victims in her county, underlining the significance of individual actions
• [2:13] Sheryl introduced the unsolved murder case of Missy Beavers in a small-town church called Creekside Church of Christ on April 18, 2016
• [3:42] Sheryl discusses the chilling surveillance footage from the church, heightening the mystery of the case
• [5:33] Crystal and Renae from True Crime Broads, are introduced to the listeners 
• [7:22] The trio delve deeper into the peculiarities of the Missy Beavers case, broadening the scope of the conversation
• [10:05] A description of the eerie behavior of the perpetrator as seen on the church's surveillance footage, intensifies the intrigue
• [12:05] Question: What do you think about the church? Why do you think it was chosen as the location of the murder? 
• [13:04] “I guess if some crazy person wanted to get her alone, [the church] would be a place to do it.” 
• [15:05] Question: Did you both have any internal feelings about the church surveillance video?  
• [18:38] Crystal and Renae reveal their initiative to keep the case alive through a billboard, demonstrating the power of public engagement
• [20:07] Question: Before the podcast was created, were either of you in law enforcement or did you have any previous training in investigations? 
• [20:30] Crystal and Renae open up about their backgrounds, debunking the myth that one needs formal training to contribute to crime solving
• [24:00] Sheryl emphasizes the pivotal role of media in reaching a vast audience, aiding in solving crimes
• [26:14] The common reasons for murder and how they may relate to the Beavers case
• [28:17] The conversation hones in on the unusual sequence of events on the day of the murder, involving the killer's swift actions post the crime
• [31:57] To follow the Missy Beavers Case on True Crime Broads click HERE, or check out their IG page @truecrimebroads, and Facebook @truecrimebroads
• [32:16] If anyone who's local might have any information, please call Midlothian Police or call Crime Stoppers. The Midlothian number is 972 775 3333. There is an independent reward of 150, 000. If you call Crime Stoppers and remain anonymous, the reward is up to 1,000. That number is 972 937 7297.
• [34:47] “There is no branch of detective science, which is so important and so neglected as the art of tracing footsteps.” -A.D
• Thanks for listening to another episode! If you’re loving the show and want to help grow the show, please head over to Itunes and leave a rating and review! How to Leave an Apple Podcast Review: First, Open the podcast app on your iPhone, Mac, or iPad. Then, hit the “Search” tab at the bottom right-hand corner of the page and search for Zone 7. Select the podcast, scroll down to find the subheading “Ratings & Reviews”. and select “Write a Review.” Next, select the number of stars you’d like to leave. Please choose 5 stars! Using the text box which says “Title,” write a title for your review. Then in the text box, write the review itself. The review can be up to 300 words long, but doesn’t need to be much more than: “Love the show! Thanks!” or Once you’re done select “Send” in the upper right-hand corner.

 

---

• About the ‘Zone 7’ Host

  Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, a forensic and crime scene expert for “Crime Stories with Nancy Grace,” and a CSI for a metro-area Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook, “Cold Case: Pathways to Justice.”

  McCollum is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students, and the criminal justice community. They come together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.

  You can connect and learn more about McCollum’s work by visiting the CCIRI website https://coldcasecrimes.org

  Social Links:

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Twitter: @ColdCaseTips
  • Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.