Unconfirmed reports she is a sister ~ MISSING

[Life4u]

On Lynn's comment there is a source button and it takes you to a news video that say he is a witness and he was also married. I hope not.

[Bluetape]

This story says he irregularly attended meetings.

It's included in a statement from the family. Abc interviewed her husband, and the reporter said something similar. It doesn't look like he was an actual witness, but more specifics may come out.

[ibcharlene]

I hope not too. What a sad, sad turn of events if it is.

[Maryjane Lee]

So Sad This congregation is rocked to the core. Did they all go to the same one? . My heart goes out to all our brothers and sisters in that congregation especially to the elders.

Saw these from that link by Lynn. Sorry if i'm not supposed to post any links though.

his wedding photo

his wedding

[DonnaR]

http://portlandtribune.com/go/42-news/121560-heichel-family-shocked-that-murder-suspect-attended-their-church

Here is the family’s statement:

We were completely shocked to find out that Jonathan Holt, an irregular attendee of our meetings, was arrested and would be in any way tied to this case as a suspect. Jehovah’s Witness regard life as precious, a gift from God. We had no indications that would lead us, prior to this event that he would be capable of being involved in what is alleged to have happened. We have no knowledge of the events that led up to what took place with the disappearance of Whitney and know none of the details of what took place after her abduction. We will await the authorities' investigation, and fully cooperate with them as they work through this numbing and disturbing case. Our local congregations especially feel the pain. So many families have been severely impacted by this senseless act of violence committed against our daughter, sister, and friend. Jonathan’s wife is too an innocent victim, and our love and support is as strong for her and her family. It will take a long time for her to heal. With God’s help, and assistance from our brothers and sisters, we will recover and use our experience to help others.

[rocket]

http://portlandtribune.com/go/42-news/121560-heichel-family-shocked-that-murder-suspect-attended-their-church

Here is the family’s statement:

We were completely shocked to find out that Jonathan Holt, an irregular attendee of our meetings, was arrested and would be in any way tied to this case as a suspect. Jehovah’s Witness regard life as precious, a gift from God. We had no indications that would lead us, prior to this event that he would be capable of being involved in what is alleged to have happened. We have no knowledge of the events that led up to what took place with the disappearance of Whitney and know none of the details of what took place after her abduction. We will await the authorities' investigation, and fully cooperate with them as they work through this numbing and disturbing case. Our local congregations especially feel the pain. So many families have been severely impacted by this senseless act of violence committed against our daughter, sister, and friend. Jonathan’s wife is too an innocent victim, and our love and support is as strong for her and her family. It will take a long time for her to heal. With God’s help, and assistance from our brothers and sisters, we will recover and use our experience to help others.

Katu News reports this statement as being from: Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall in Gresham.

Source

[ava]

Her husband spoke to Good Morning America today.

He and Whitney were only married 1 yr and 9 months.

Very sad

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/whitney-heichels-husband-interview-difficult-17532855

[rocket]

Whitney died from multiple gunshot wounds. Senseless!

Source

[Joey]

My deepest heartfelt sympathies for the family of Whitney, we feel the pain in our hearts also because .... (Ephesians 4:25) . . .we are members belonging to one another. . .

[destiny]

what was the motive?

[ava]

what was the motive?

If the police know, they have not said anything yet. Although, I have not checked the new in several hours, so maybe the police have said something.

[Maryjane Lee]

He seemed like he already admitted to the crimes.

..admitted kidnapping, assaulting, killing Whitney Heichel, court documents allege

[saltab]

the greshem newspaper said he was married in 2010 in kingdom hall

[MelFromOz]

Yes it's sad that it's now come out that Holt was in fact a witness, I saw a photo from his wedding in the Kingdom Hall, it seems that he had started to become inactive though or possibly even disfellowshipped seeing as his meeting attendance was irregular. The sad thing is that now it brings reproach upon Jehovah's name, the world is going to read that Whitney's killer was a witness himself and just conclude that he was behaving as a proper witness would, I don't think they would really grasp the concept of irregular or inactive or fallen away, to them one of Jehovah's Witnesses is just that.

[destiny]

Nothing but satan!!

[Maryjane Lee]

Yep, so sad Salvatore. Pls. look up my previous post it a little above this page it should have links to their wedding at the Kingdom Hall. My heart aches for his wife as well. Too many families shattered. May Jehovah help all of them in these very trying times.

[Tazzy]

I did hear from a sister, whom I've known for years, that he was a brother. Married to a sister (pioneer from a pioneer family in the cong), had moved recently to the same apt building, was doing mics not that long ago, had been a MS at some point.

This sister's family (son & dil) were helping in the search.

I didn't say anything just in case it didn't get out too much to the public / media.

How very, very sad and devastating. How many victims there are in this tragedy! So many families and fellow believers affected.

[sunshine]

Yes it's sad that it's now come out that Holt was in fact a witness, I saw a photo from his wedding in the Kingdom Hall, it seems that he had started to become inactive though or possibly even disfellowshipped seeing as his meeting attendance was irregular. The sad thing is that now it brings reproach upon Jehovah's name, the world is going to read that Whitney's killer was a witness himself and just conclude that he was behaving as a proper witness would, I don't think they would really grasp the concept of irregular or inactive or fallen away, to them one of Jehovah's Witnesses is just that.

Being one of Jehovah's Witnesses is more than a label, its a way of life. Someone that kills another human being in such a senseless way is no Witness of Jehovah baptised or not. No religion teaches this - even if he was a Catholic or a Mormon or whatever - there is no religion that advocates this mindless violence least of all our own. So basically he was someone that failed to live by the Jehovah's Witness precepts and laws he claimed to and for whatever reason took our dear sister with him in his departure into madness or evil or both. I don't believe anyone would stoop so very low so as to suggest there is something about our religion that encourages such actions.

Whitney's journey is over and she will wake up in paradise, I am sure Jehovah stood near her in those final terrible moments (that hopefully were brief). It is for friends and family, for her congregation and yes, for all of us now to stand firm.

I will continue to pray for her family, I know my God, I am confident he will sustain them all.

[MelFromOz]

I know what you're saying Rosie, I guess what I meant is that Jehovah's organisation is highly persecuted as it is, Jesus told us this would happen when he said if they hated him they would hate us too and that he was no part of the world, so it kind of gives the world another avenue to attack the Witnesses.

[saltab]

dont yu think pornography was involved? look at all the cases of girls being murdered and bottom line is pornogrphy isnt that what jesus said about looking at another woman with intent isnt that why it is being emphasies in talks and wt how many brothers are addicted with this stuff and look at the outcome

[Beemot]

We cannot be sure of that, but it would not be a surprise.

Someone addicted to pornography may fantasize on how to practice the things he watched. Moreover there are also some abhorrent forms of pornography, as we have read recently in the study edition of the WT, that include depraved sex mixed with violence. Filling the mind of such things is equivalent to poison our mind and heart.

We do well to listen to the advices of the FDS

[Carol E]

I have been following the news reports regarding our sister in Oregon, Whitney Heichel as well as many of the comments on Facebook regarding this tragedy. I have noticed many comments using the phrase, "Rest In Peace", and quite a few have been from those claiming to be Witnesses. I was not able to find anything on the Watchtower Library regarding this phrase and whether it is something a Christian would use. To me, this phrase seems to suggest that a deceased person would be awake, aware, and otherwise NOT able to sleep in death. I have always thought it was a perpetuation of the false belief that a person's spirit lives on after death. I have also noticed that many comments from the Friends have been written to Whitney, as if she can hear or read the comments. I realize these sentiments are given in true sympathy and condolense and with the best of intentions. I would like to hear what others feel about this in view of Ecclesiastes 9:5.

[rocket]

I have been following the news reports regarding our sister in Oregon, Whitney Heichel as well as many of the comments on Facebook regarding this tragedy. I have noticed many comments using the phrase, "Rest In Peace", and quite a few have been from those claiming to be Witnesses. I was not able to find anything on the Watchtower Library regarding this phrase and whether it is something a Christian would use. To me, this phrase seems to suggest that a deceased person would be awake, aware, and otherwise NOT able to sleep in death. I have always thought it was a perpetuation of the false belief that a person's spirit lives on after death. I have also noticed that many comments from the Friends have been written to Whitney, as if she can hear or read the comments. I realize these sentiments are given in true sympathy and condolense and with the best of intentions. I would like to hear what others feel about this in view of Ecclesiastes 9:5.

this may help:

"Rest in peace" (Latin: Requiescat in pace) is a short epitaph or idiomatic expression wishing eternal rest and peace to someone who has died. The expression typically appears on headstones, often abbreviated as "RIP".

The phrase or initialism is commonly found on the grave of Catholics,[1] as it is derived from the burial service of the Catholic Church, in which the following prayer is said at its commencement and conclusion:[

Anima eius et animæ omnium fidelium defunctorum per Dei misericordiam requiescant in pace. ”

In English:[3]

“ May his soul and the souls of all the departed faithful by God's mercy rest in peace.

The phrase in English was not found on tombstones before the eighth century.[6][7] It became common on the tombs of Catholics in the 18th century, for whom it was a prayerful request that their soul should find peace in the afterlife. When the phrase became conventional, the absence of a reference to the soul led people to suppose that it was the physical body that was enjoined to lie peacefully in the grave.[8] This is associated with the Catholic doctrine of the particular judgment; that is, that the soul is parted from the body upon death, but that the soul and body will be reunited on Judgment Day.

Link

[Carol E]

Thank you for the link.

[AlexMichaels]

Hmm I agree with your statements made me think.. I made a video for her.. and in the end I wrote I can't wait to meet you in paradise my dear sweet sister.. I know I'm not talking to a person who can hear me.. but I guess it just fit better than referring to her in third person. I think it just more for her family.. an expression more for those who are still alive and dealing with this tragedy..and the song I used in the video was a song that would be as if it were from her.. remember me this way.. Basically I think she would want people to remember her for who she was, not what happened to her. and when you keep someone in your mind and heart they will always be with you.. because you will always be thinking of how they would have done something or what they would have said had they been there..