The Horrifying Case of Jackie Shroyer: What We Know About the Missionary Murder Mystery

When Jackie and Beau Shroyer packed up their five children and headed to Angola for a missionary trip, it seemed like a noble calling. But just months into their service, tragedy struck: Beau, a former Detroit Lakes police officer, was brutally murdered. Now, in a shocking twist, his wife Jackie has been charged as the "mastermind" behind his killing in an alleged murder-for-hire plot, as reported by PEOPLE.

The Allegations: A Murder-for-Hire Scheme

Beau was killed on Oct. 25, 2024, in what authorities describe as an orchestrated attack. According to the Angolan Press Agency, suspects Bernardino Elias and Isalino Kayôo lured Beau to a remote location under the pretense of a car breakdown. There, they fatally attacked him. Jackie, allegedly the plot's "co-author," as reported by PEOPLE, was not at the scene, but police claim she orchestrated the crime from behind the scenes.

Authorities have painted a picture of betrayal, claiming suspicion that there was a "romantic relationship in relation to the person who ordered the case and her accomplice" and alleging that she did not want to return to the U.S. when her husband's mission ended, according to PEOPLE. Adding to the shock, authorities claim Jackie had planned to pay approximately $50,000 for the killing. The evidence includes the alleged murder weapon — a knife that ironically belonged to Beau — and 4.5 million kwanzas (about $5,000 USD) seized in connection with the crime.

The Fallout: Arrests, Grief, and Unanswered Questions

Jackie was arrested along with Elias and Kayôo, while a fourth suspect, Gelson Ramos, is reportedly on the run. The case has left Beau's loved ones reeling, with his church, Lakes Area Vineyard, struggling to come to terms with the accusations. Lead Pastor Troy M. Easton, who had previously expressed "disbelief" at Jackie's arrest, according to PEOPLE, confirmed that a funeral was held for Beau on Nov. 30, 2024.

Meanwhile, their five children have been relocated to the U.S., where they are being cared for by close family. "(The children) have been back in the States now since early November and they have been slowly settling in with close family and receiving the very best care and attention from people they know and love well," Easton said in a YouTube video, PEOPLE reports.

What Happens Next?

Jackie remains in custody in Angola, awaiting trial. The timeline for her court appearance is unclear, but Easton has stated it will likely take place within the next six months. As the case unfolds, many are left wondering: what truly happened between Jackie and Beau? And if she is guilty, what could have driven her to plot her own husband's murder?

One thing is certain — this case is far from over. Until a verdict is reached, those who knew the couple are left searching for answers, praying for justice, and grappling with a story that sounds more like a crime novel than real life.

References: Missionary Mother of 5 Officially Charged in Murder-For-Hire Plot of Her Husband | Missionary Jackie Shroyer formally charged in death of husband Beau in Angola