Atlanta pastor stabbed with kitchen knife and set on fire, according to warrant
A pastor in the Atlanta metropolitan area was fatally stabbed by a man whom police say she was attempting to help.
Wednesday, Christopher Griggs, 27, allegedly stabbed Marita Harrell, 57, at his home in the 1300 block of Panola Road, according to the DeKalb County Police Department. Then, he transported her body to the 1600 block of Coffee Road and abandoned her there.
According to warrants, Griggs stabbed Harrell with a large kitchen knife and set her on fire. On May 19, homicide detectives with the DKCPD arrested Griggs and charged him with murder and arson.
Rev. Harrell served as the senior pastor of the church Connections @ Metropolitan. According to the church’s website, she moved to Atlanta over 3 decades ago and was a member of Central United Methodist Church for over 25 years before accepting God’s call on her life.
“At a spiritual level you’re asking God, Why? What? Why her? She was doing your work,’” said Vincente Scott, a close family friend.
Scott met Harrell in 1992. At the time, she was a Sunday school teacher, but she rose through the ranks of the United Methodist Church. He stated that Harrell’s faith was everything and that it was in her nature to assist others.
Harrell was “mentoring” Griggs at the time of her death, according to the DKCPD. He is currently being held without bond at the DeKalb County Jail. His initial court date was May 21.
