Elderly Pastor Found Murdered in His Own Home

An elderly pastor was found murdered in his home after an explosion, police say.  

“It was definitely a homicide,” Columbus police detective David Sicilian says of 81-year-old Joseph McDowell. “He was killed at the hands of someone else.” 

The explosion’s fire occurred last week, but McDowell’s name wasn’t released until later.  

McDowell pastored Southard Baptist Church in Ohio. 

“He said he had the best neighbors,” Polly Hendricks, the treasurer, said. “He preached about love. He preached about compassion. He thought all his neighbors loved him.” 

Police do not yet know if the explosion and McDowell’s murder are related.  

Please pray for his family and church members at this time. {eoa}