Everipedia Logo
Everipedia is now IQ.wiki - Join the IQ Brainlist and our Discord for early access to editing on the new platform and to participate in the beta testing.
Sister Paula Merrill (Nun)

Sister Paula Merrill (Nun)

Sister Paula Merrill was a Catholic nun and nurse practitioner with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Kentucky. She is originally from Massachusetts but moved to Mississippi in 1981 to help the poor. [1]

Sister Paula and Sister Margaret Held worked together at the Lexington Medical Clinic in Lexington, Mississippi and Durant Primary Care Clinic in Durant. The clinics were both located in Holmes County, Mississippi a poor rural areas and the nund would treat people regardless if they could afford treatment. The nuns also regularly distributed books, school supplies and many other items to the needy. [0]

The two nuns lived together in a home in Durant, Mississippi on Castalian Springs Road and shared a car. [2]

The sisters were among 35 members of St. Thomas Catholic Church, and they typically gathered on Thursday nights for Bible study and a meal, the pastor said.

Held was a great baker, and both women would usually bring something to eat.

[4]

Death

On August 18, 2016 Sister Paula Merrill and Sister Margaret Held were both fatally stabbed. Police suspect the killings were part of an armed robbery since the nuns car was stolen. [0]

When the two nuns didn't show up to work on Thursday morning, a co-worker checked on them at 10:30 a.m., discovering their bodies and contacting police.

[0]

Their bodies were transported to the State Crime Lab, where pathologists are expected to conduct autopsies.

[0]

Statement by Bishop Joseph Kopacz

“These sisters have spent years of dedicated service here in Mississippi.

They absolutely loved the people in their community,” and “We mourn with the people of Lexington and Durant and we pray for the Sisters of Charity, the School Sisters of St. Francis and the families left behind."

[3]

Father Greg Plata a local priest had said “These were the two sweetest sisters you could imagine.

It’s so senseless,”[3]

References

[1]
Citation Linkclarionledger.comClarion-Ledgerarticle about the murders
Aug 25, 2016, 11:20 PM
[2]
Citation Linknydailynews.comNew York Daily Newsarticle about the killings
Aug 25, 2016, 11:21 PM
[3]
Citation Linkdailymail.co.ukDaily Mailarticle about the murders
Aug 25, 2016, 11:21 PM
[4]
Citation Linkjacksondiocese.orgStatment by the Catholic Diocese of Jackson on the deaths of Sister Paula Merrill and Sister Margaret Held
Aug 25, 2016, 11:51 PM
[5]
Citation Linklatimes.comLos Angeles Timesarticle about the killings
Aug 25, 2016, 11:53 PM
[6]
Citation Linkscnfamily.orgPage about Paula Merrill on the Sisters of Charity of Nazarethwebsite
Aug 26, 2016, 12:03 AM
[7]
Citation Linkvimeo.comVideo about Sister Paula Merrill on the Sisters of Charity of Nazarethwebsite
Aug 26, 2016, 12:04 AM
[8]
Citation Linkywqaugeunhowzrcj.public.blob.vercel-storage.comPhoto of Sister Paula Merrill and Sister Margaret Held
Aug 26, 2016, 12:07 AM
[9]
Citation Linkywqaugeunhowzrcj.public.blob.vercel-storage.comPhoto of Sister Paula Merrill and Sister Margaret Held
Aug 26, 2016, 12:07 AM
[10]
Citation Linkywqaugeunhowzrcj.public.blob.vercel-storage.comPhoto of Sister Paula Merrill treating a patient
Aug 26, 2016, 12:08 AM
[11]
Citation Linkywqaugeunhowzrcj.public.blob.vercel-storage.comPhoto of Sister Paula Merrill treating a patient
Aug 26, 2016, 12:08 AM
[12]
Citation Linkywqaugeunhowzrcj.public.blob.vercel-storage.comPhoto of Sister Paula Merrill
Aug 26, 2016, 12:08 AM