Former pastor Daniel Randall allegedly shot his daughter to death before killing himself, according to multiple reports.
Randall, who had completed rehab for alcohol abuse just two days before, reportedly left disturbing messages on the walls of the family home in Hebron, Maine before he killed himself, witnesses and police say. One read, “Vow breaker,” reported to be directed at wife Anita Randall, who had filed for divorce earlier that week.
“We don’t want to talk to anyone,” one family member told the Portland Press Herald. “Please respect us in this. It’s very, very hard.”
Daughter Claire Randall, who was 27, was a beloved figure to those who knew her.
“Claire was brilliant, talented, passionate and caring,” wrote colleague Michelle Paul. “Claire touched so many people’s lives, and had so much more to give to the world—it’s unthinkable that she’s gone.”
Randall pastored First Congregational Church in Bristol, Rhode Island, for 12 years before resigning in December 2014. He served as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force and pastored First Parish Congregational Church in Saco, Maine, from 1993 to 1994.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Anita Randall, her son Gabe and daughter Molly,” Nicki Ann Tyska, who runs a food pantry where Daniel served, said. {eoa}
