Body of Pastor Stabbed to Death Discovered Inside His Atlanta Home
An Atlanta pastor's dead body was discovered inside his house by authorities on Sunday.
Members from Otis Byrd's congregation, the God's Anointed Missionary Baptist Church, became suspicious after their pastor did not arrive at church on Sunday. They showed up at his front door later that Sunday morning and after he did not open the door, they called police, who discovered the-late church leader's body.
Police believe that Byrd was stabbed to death, officer John Chafee with Atlanta police confirmed to The Atlanta Journal Constitution.
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Neighbors were astonished at Byrd's death.
"I can't understand who would kill him because he stayed by himself and didn't hang with nobody," a woman who lived down the street from Byrd told WSB-TV.
Byrd, who had just celebrated his 50th birthday with friends on Friday, was remembered fondly by members of the congregation.
Earl Hutchinson, who had known Byrd for more than 20 years and played piano with him, praised his pastor's oratorical skills.
"He could really preach, and he did so without a piece of paper in his hand," Hutchinson told The Atlanta Journal Constitution. "He was just an undiscovered talent."
Hutchinson added that his friend had a good voice and had also worked as a teacher, specifically commending Byrd for his character.
"Never a foul word. Not ever. Not one time," Hutchinson said. " He was just a good person. He was trying to build something."
The Atlanta Police Department has not made any arrests at this time.
