Wife of missionary charged for husband’s death in Angola

African authorities formally charged Jackie Shroyer with the murder of her missionary husband, Beau, according to an update from the family’s former Minnesota church. The pair attended Lakes Area Vineyard Church with their five children until moving to Angola in 2021 with the missionary organization SIM USA. Lakes Area Vineyard Church lead pastor Troy Easton shared the news of Beau’s death last October, describing the act as criminal and violent. Angolan authorities arrested Jackie in connection to her husband’s death in early November.

What does this mean for Jackie? The accused woman will stay in custody until she’s tried before an Angolan judge, likely within the next six months, Easton wrote in his statement Monday. The pastor said he could not share any further details on the active case. 

The couple’s ministry group, SIM USA, released a similar statement about the charges last week. The mission group supports Jackie and continues working closely with her legal team, according to the Thursday release. The Shroyer children will continue being cared for by family members in the United States with support from SIM counselors, the statement added. 

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report for more background on the missionary’s death.