U.S. missionary murdered in Haiti

Bobbie Solley, a retired Middle Tennessee State University professor and member of North Boulevard Church of Christ in Murfreesboro, Tenn., was in Haiti on missionary work when Edwards, her friend and colleague, was killed. Edwards took care of not only the 20 orphaned or abandoned kids in her charge at the home: She also ran a local nutrition center that provided meals to 160 children five days a week, the Sun notes. It was not immediately clear if anyone else was in the vehicle.

“Investigators are working to find the killers and the kidnapped child”, said Lerebours, adding the incident occurred Saturday evening in the Croix-des-Bouquets district.

Nowers, whose organization worked with Edwards on projects over the years, said he was told that two older boys who received care at the children’s home were in the auto with the missionary when she was attacked but they escaped harm.

Estes Church of Christ said they’re planning a service for her in the coming weeks.

“Roberta was remarkable. She had an unwavering love of God, her children and the people of Haiti”, Jesse Robertson, minister at Estes Church of Christ and longtime friend of Edwards, said in a statement.

Elders from the Estes Church said Edwards was a “light” to many and dedicated her life to bringing hope to the hopeless.

A 55-year-old American missionary was ambushed and killed by gunmen while driving in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Saturday.

Edwards is survived by her parents, Robert and Laura Edwards.

Solley, who returned to the US from Haiti on Sunday, said she was staying in a guest house at SonLight Ministries as part of her job as director of worldwide education development with Healing Hands global, a Nashville missionary firm. “She found that place in Haiti”, Watkins said.

State Department spokesperson Katy Bondy confirmed Edwards’ death with NBC News and said USA officials were providing all possible consular assistance to her family.

Edwards knew the risks associated with working in Haiti – the hemisphere’s poorest country.