Woman Charged in Murder-for-Hire Plot Targeting Her Husband

A Minnesota missionary mother of five has been charged with orchestrating her husband’s murder while the family served in Angola, allegedly entering into a deadly plot with a man suspected to be her romantic partner.

Quick Takes

Jackie Shroyer has officially been charged as a “co-author” and “mastermind” in the murder of her husband Beau during their missionary work in Angola.
Two Angolan men have been arrested for carrying out the murder, with a third suspect still on the run.
Authorities suspect a romantic relationship between Jackie and one of her alleged accomplices.
The couple’s five children have been returned to the United States and are being cared for by family.
Jackie remains in custody in Angola awaiting trial, which is expected within six months.

Murder on the Mission Field

Jackie Shroyer has been formally accused of orchestrating her husband’s murder while the family served in Angola, Africa. Beau Shroyer, a former Detroit Lakes police officer turned missionary, was killed in what investigators describe as a calculated murder-for-hire scheme. The couple and their five children had been serving as missionaries deployed by SIM USA since 2021 when the tragedy occurred. According to Angolan authorities, Jackie allegedly did not want to leave Angola when their mission was scheduled to end.

Troy Eaton, the lead pastor for the Detroit Lakes church, announced the charges against Jackie Shroyer, saying, “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.”

Missionary Mother of 5 Officially Charged in Murder-For-Hire Plot of Her Husband https://t.co/Fnibt2VpTV

— People (@people) February 26, 2025

The Alleged Plot

Angolan law enforcement has arrested two men in connection with the murder: Bernardino Elias and Isalino Kayôo. A third suspect, Gelson Ramos, remains at large. Court documents reveal that Elias allegedly offered Kayoo $50,000 to carry out the murder. The scheme reportedly involved staging a car breakdown to lure Beau to a vulnerable position, where he was attacked with a knife. Authorities have indicated they suspect a romantic relationship between Jackie and one of her alleged accomplices.

Family Aftermath and Support

The five Shroyer children have been returned to the United States and are now living with family members. According to SIM USA, the children are being homeschooled and adapting to their new circumstances. They maintain weekly contact with their mother, who remains in custody in Angola. A funeral service for Beau Shroyer was held on November 30, 2024, where he was remembered as someone who was “killed in an act of violence while serving Jesus in Angola, Africa,” according to a statement from Lakes Area Vineyard church.

Legal Proceedings and Support

Jackie Shroyer is currently being held in custody in Angola, where she is expected to face trial within the next six months. The FBI and State Department are aware of the case, though details of any potential U.S. involvement in the legal proceedings remain unclear. SIM USA has confirmed they are supporting Jackie’s legal team while also providing care for the children. The missionary organization has requested continued prayers from supporters while declining further comment out of respect for the judicial process unfolding in Angola.