Church Members Went to Their Pastor's House After He Didn't Show Up for Church -- and What They Found Was Gruesome

A pastor in Atlanta, Ga., was found stabbed to death inside of his home after he failed to show up for service on Sunday.

The Rev. Otis Byrd of The God's Anointed Missionary Baptist Church was found after parishioners went to the house Sunday morning to check on him, reported The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Police are continuing to investigate the crime, though reports indicate that there have been no early leads.

Byrd turned 50 on Friday and some parishioners celebrated at his home. Authorities are hoping that an attendee at the party might have noticed something at the home that will assist in the investigation, as the celebration was just two days before the pastor's body was discovered there.

Those who knew Byrd expressed surprise over his murder. One man, Earl Hutchinson, told the Journal-Constitution that he knew the preacher for more than 20 years and that Byrd was a caring individual who never spoke badly about anyone.

"Never a foul word. Not ever. Not one time,” said Hutchinson. "He was just a good person. He was trying to build something."

As of Monday evening, no arrests had been made in connection to the pastor's death.

(H/T: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

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