Marita Harrell, a pastor in Metro Atlanta, was killed after being stabbed multiple times and burned by a man she was mentoring, according to police.
According to Fox 5 Atlanta, police tracked Marita Harrell’s movements using her phone records, and investigators believe she was murdered at the home of 27-year-old Christopher Griggs.
On Wednesday, 27-year-old Christopher Griggs stabbed and burned 57-year-old Marita Harrell in his home in the 1300 block of Panola Road, according to the DeKalb County Police Department. He then transported her body to the 1600 block of Coffee Road and abandoned her there.
At 10:25 p.m. on Wednesday, Dekalb County police discovered Rev. Marita Harrell’s van in the 1600 block of Coffee Road, with what remained of her charred body inside. According to the warrants, Griggs stabbed Marita Harrell with a large kitchen knife and set her on fire. Griggs was arrested on May 19 by DKCPD homicide detectives and charged with murder and arson in the first degree.
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Harrell was “mentoring” Griggs at the time of her death, according to DKCPD. He is currently being held without bond at the DeKalb County Jail. His first court appearance was scheduled for May 21st.
Rev. Harrell served as the senior pastor of Connections @ Metropolitan Church. According to the church’s website, she moved to Atlanta over 30 years ago and was a member of Central United Methodist Church for over 25 years before accepting God’s call on her life.
The Chicago native received her Master of Divinity degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in 2014 and her teaching license the following year.
Harrell served as pastor of Rivertown United Methodist Church from 2016 to 2018, and the church paid tribute to her on its Facebook page Thursday night, writing:
Unfortunately, and with a truly heavy heart, I have the unpleasant task of relaying some heart-breaking news. I received an email from the district office informing us of the transition of Rev. Marita Harrell. No further details were given.”
“I know the love Rivertown has for her, and the love she has for Rivertown. We are asked to be in prayer, especially for her husband and daughter. Please keep the entire family in your prayers. May God’s comforting arms envelop her family, friends, and loved ones.”
Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson of The United Methodist Church’s North Georgia Conference gave this statement, saying:
“I am broken-hearted since being informed of the death of Rev. Marita Harrell. It is a blow to our clergy family, especially since it appears she died at the hand of one she was helping. Marita was a friend and a shining light among us. I pray for her family, her church, and all who loved her. I am grateful that the Lord she represented so well was with her in all things and accompanied her to her eternal home. May His Spirit comfort those of us who remain.”
Her parents, Howard and Margie Roberts, her husband Antonio, and her two daughters, Marae and Alyse, survive her. There has been no confirmation of her funeral arrangements.
