A Minnesota woman has been charged with the murder of her husband while the couple and their five children were missionaries in the southern African nation of Angola last year. Beau Shroyer, 44, from Detroit Lakes, was found dead in a vehicle in Thienjo, a town in southern Angola, in October 2024. His wife, Jackie Shroyer, was arrested in connection with the death in November and is accused of forming a murder-for-hire plot after allegedly cheating on him.
The lead pastor for the Detroit Lakes church expressed deep sadness over the situation and urged the community to continue praying for truth and justice. The family of seven was deployed by SIM USA, an evangelical Christian organization, to Angola in 2021. SIM USA expressed shock and devastation over the arrest of Jackie Shroyer and emphasized their commitment to supporting the pursuit of justice for Beau.
Both the FBI and State Department are aware of the case, and Jackie is set to face trial in the next six months in Angola. The church mentioned that the Shroyers' five children are being cared for by close family members with support from SIM USA and the church.
The murder-for-hire plot unfolded with reports indicating that Jackie was having an affair with the couple's security guard, Bernadino Elias, 24. Motivated by the end of their mission in Angola, Jackie allegedly offered Elias and two others $50,000 to kill her husband. The crime took place in a remote area in Thienjo, Palanca, where Beau was lured and fatally stabbed by the suspects.
Police recovered an American-made knife at the scene along with cash and a cellphone. Manuel Halaiwa, the CIS superintendent of criminal investigation, highlighted the strong suspicions of a romantic relationship between Jackie and her accomplice as a motive for the crime.
Colleagues and friends of Beau Shroyer described him as a selfless and compassionate individual who dedicated his life to helping others. His transition from real estate to full-time ministry was seen as a testament to his caring nature and commitment to serving those in need.
