The bodies of a young missionary couple from the U.S. who were fatally attacked by gang members in Haiti are expected to be returned to Missouri this week, a spokesperson for the families said Sunday. Davy and Natalie Lloyd, along with Jude Montis, the local director of Missions in Haiti Inc., were killed last Thursday. The incident occurred in Lizon, a community in northern Port-au-Prince, after the group left a youth activity at a church. Natalie Lloyd is the daughter of Missouri State Representative Ben Baker (R).
Cassidy Anderson, speaking on behalf of the Lloyd and Baker families in a Facebook post, announced that transport has been secured for the bodies to arrive in Missouri by this Thursday. Anderson noted that arranging the security for the transfer would be challenging. Port-au-Prince has been experiencing significant gang violence, with gangs controlling 80 percent of the capital. Authorities are currently awaiting reinforcement from a Kenyan police force as part of a U.N.-backed operation to address the violence.
In a statement on the Missions in Haiti page, it was detailed that Davy Lloyd and his wife were leaving the church when they were attacked by gang members in three trucks. Davy Lloyd managed to call his family after being assaulted and tied up by the attackers. As individuals near the scene helped untie Davy, another wave of gunmen arrived, escalating the situation. The victims then attempted to seek cover in a house associated with the mission, which the gang subsequently attacked.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) urged Joe Biden in a Sunday letter to ensure adequate security for the transport. Former President Donald Trump also extended condolences to the families while addressing the Libertarian National Convention in Washington, D.C., on Saturday.
