Authorities: Killer Staged Pastor's Body

The body of 61-year-old Carol Daniels was found "staged," or placed in an unnatural position after the slaying inside her church on Sunday, according to investigators.<BR><BR><A href="http://www.news9.com/global/story.asp?s=10999352" target=_blank>Community Shaken by Pastor&#39;s Murder Remains Strong in Faith</A>&nbsp;| <A href="http://www.news9.com/Global/story.asp?S=10989146" target=_blank>DA Says Anadarko Church Murder Most Shocking Case of Career</A>

Thursday, August 27th 2009, 12:01 pm

By: News 9


By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The body of 61-year-old Carol Daniels was found "staged," or placed in an unnatural position after the slaying inside her church on Sunday, according to investigators.

The announcement on Thursday spawned a flurry of rumors and speculation on Daniels' manner of death.

One of the rumors spreading is that the murder was a ritualistic killing. The possibility that Daniels' death came at the hands of a cult member or was part of a violent ritual has not been ruled out by one of the pastors in Anadarko.

"It was a pretty horrific murder, and in that sense, it would lean toward maybe having that concern," said Oakridge Ministries Pastor Brian Ball.

Pastor Daniels' death shocked the small town of Anadarko where police said homicides are few and far between, but Anadarko Police Captain Dwain Miller said he doesn't believe that churches are unsafe.

"We have no reason to believe that a church has been targeted or that any other crime is being planned," Miller said.

But the staging of Daniel's body is a concern for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

"We're investigating that as a possible angle. Who would do that? Why would they do that?" said Jessica Brown, OSBI.

Investigators have established a timeline of events leading up to Daniels' death.

"What we know right now from witnesses and surveillance video is that she got to the church about 10 o'clock that morning, and her body was found at about noon that day," Brown said.

A visitor who arrived at the church shortly before noon saw Daniels' car but found the door to the church locked, District Attorney Bret Burns said Thursday. The person walked to the nearby Anadarko police station and notified officers, who discovered Daniels' body. Burns did not identify the visitor.

Meanwhile, Anadarko police are stepping up patrols and asking everyone to remain vigilant. Many pastors are already heeding that warning.

"Locking the doors, being in groups of more than one, being careful who you engage in conversation with in a private area," Ball said.

Ball said that some parishioners are considering bringing guns to church.

Anadarko Police said they are working to dispel another rumor. Investigators have received several calls about a murder similar to Pastor Daniels. Police said there has been no such murder and that the rumor is not based on any facts.

A vigil to honor Pastor Daniels will be Friday at 7 p.m. at the Greater First Baptist Church of Anadarko, 502 E Washington. The public is welcome to attend.

Daniels funeral will be at the Greater New Zion Baptist Church in Oklahoma City on Monday, August at 1 p.m.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

More on News9.com
Community Shaken by Pastor's Murder Remains Strong in Faith | DA Says Anadarko Church Murder Most Shocking Case of Career

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