Minnesota Pastor's Wife Charged in Murder-for-Hire Plot During Angola Mission Trip

A Minnesota woman, Jackie Shroyer, has been formally charged with the murder of her husband, Beau Shroyer, while they were serving as missionaries in Angola with their five children. Beau Shroyer, 44, from Detroit Lakes, was found dead in a vehicle in Thienjo, Angola, in October 2024. His wife was arrested in November and is accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot following allegations of infidelity.

"It saddens me immensely to have to share with you that we were notified that Jackie has been formally charged as a co-author in the murder of her husband," wrote Troy Eaton, the lead pastor for the Detroit Lakes church, in a statement. The pastor urged the community to pray for truth and justice.

The Shroyer family had been deployed to Angola by SIM USA, an evangelical Christian organization, in 2021. SIM USA expressed their shock and devastation upon learning of Jackie Shroyer's arrest and affirmed their commitment to supporting the pursuit of justice for Beau.

Authorities say that both the FBI and State Department were aware of the case. Jackie Shroyer is currently in custody in Angola and is expected to face trial within the next six months. The Shroyers' five children are being cared for by family, with support from SIM USA and their church.

Details emerging from the Angolan Criminal Investigation Service reveal that Jackie Shroyer was allegedly involved in an affair with the family’s security guard, Bernadino Elias, 24. She reportedly offered Elias and two others $50,000 to kill her husband, purportedly because she was upset about the family's mission ending.

The alleged plot involved the suspects staging a car breakdown in a remote area of Thienjo. When Beau Shroyer arrived to help, they stabbed him to death. Police have released images of Elias and an alleged accomplice, Isalino Kayoo, 23, along with photos of the crime scene, including a bloodstained vehicle and recovered weapons.

Manuel Halaiwa, the CIS superintendent of criminal investigation, indicated that the motives for the crime stemmed from "strong suspicions of a romantic relationship between the person who ordered the crime and her accomplice, the guard and the couple’s residence."

David Dorman, a former real estate colleague of Beau Shroyer, described him as "a wonderful person" and "the most selfless human", emphasizing his genuine care for others and his dedication to helping those less privileged.

"Beau was special. Beau went the extra mile for clients… He was a true partner and loved what he did. His attitude was infectious and I genuinely loved working with him," he said. "A true servant in a sea of snakes, 100% a client advocate. The lengths I watched him go to for his clients was something of a legend. No one went the extra mile more than him."