K.C. pastor confesses to involvement in wife's disappearance; wife found murdered
01/10/2018 12:09 pm PST
By Robert Townsend, WDAF
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- (WDAF) -- Minister Hopelizzette says she can't believe her church's elder might be linked to his wife's murder.
"I got a call while I was at work about it. I don't know what happened," she said. "I can't believe it. I don't want to believe it's true. I want to believe it's a mistake."
She broke down in tears just thinking about the horrible nightmare she said has rocked their six-year-old church, Repairers of The Breach Christian Center in South Kansas City, to its core.
“It's beyond unreal because I knew Elder Robert Harris," Hopelizzette said. "He was my spiritual counselor. He was our go-to man when we couldn't reach our pastor. He loved her."
Overland Park police said Monday they went to the home of Robert Harris and Tanisha Stuart-Harris to investigate a domestic dispute. Investigators said later that day Robert Harris called police again to report his wife missing.
However, after being questioned, police said Harris confessed to being involved in his wife's disappearance. Then Tuesday morning, Stuart-Harris' body was found in a rural area of Raymore near 163rd and Kentucky.
Members and church leaders gathered at Repairers of The Breach to pray for the couple, their loved ones and their now hurting church family.
“Utter shock, anguish, confusion and questions," said Carlton Funderburke, the senior pastor at Repairers of The Breach Christian Center. "I was privileged to perform their wedding ceremony in July of 2016. They were just good, solid people and outstanding members of their community."
As of Tuesday night, Robert Harris remained in the Johnson County jail in Olathe. Prosecutors are now reviewing potential criminal charges against him.
FULL STORY: Grief-stricken K.C. church members stunned to hear leader may be linked to wife's murder - WDAF