A Georgia pastor lost her life at the hands of a disturbed former inmate whom she was mentoring.
On Wednesday, May 18th, Rev. Marita Harrell was mentoring 27-year-old Christopher Griggs at his home in the 1300 block of Panola Road. The pastor was trying to help him get his life back on track following his many jail stints. During their time together, Griggs attacked Harrell with a large kitchen knife, stabbing her to death. He then loaded her body into a van and drove it to a remote location on the 1600 block of Coffee Road, where he set her body on fire. Harrell’s husband Antonio and daughter Marae became concerned when she failed to return home following her visit with Griggs. They tracked her phone, which led them to the discovery of her burning body.
Griggs is a former inmate whose previous charges included sexual assault and impersonating a police officer. Harrell’s family voiced concerns about her mentoring him. However, the 57-year-old felt that it was her duty.
“She told me, ‘Antonio, God has placed these people in my life. I cannot turn away from them,'” her husband of 27 years recalled.
Harrell was a senior pastor at Connections at Metropolitan United Methodist Church. They held a dedication event for her on Sunday, honoring her work in ministry. Longtime friend Rev. Dr. Michael T. McQueen told local news that Harrell was “doing what she loved to do.”
“That’s what makes this so tragic,” McQueen added.
Griggs is currently in the DeKalb County Jail without bond. He has been charged with one count of malice murder and one count of first-degree arson.
