Investigation Continues into Anadarko Pastor's Death

Staff and Wire Reports

ANADARKO, Oklahoma - Authorities are investigating the death of an Oklahoma pastor who was found dead Sunday morning in her Anadarko church.

Carol Daniels, 61, was the pastor at Christ Holy Sanctified Church. Anadarko police are investigating her death as a homicide. Police said they have no suspects and few leads.

Daniels had trauma to her body, said Jessica Brown, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman. Daniels was found after police were asked to check on her, Brown said, but declined to say who requested that police do so. Brown did not release additional details.

Daniels' mother, Charlesetta Dunlap, said Monday the family had no further information about the crime and wasn't ready to talk about Daniels.

"We don't know anything yet," she said.

Most of Sunday authorities focused their investigation in and around the church looking for clues as to who may have killed the pastor.

Mitchell Pendarvis lives next to the church and said he's shocked.

"I don't know what to think and I'm trying to think, I mean who would do this to this woman?" Pendarvis said.

Pendarvis said he didn't hear or see anything, but the alleyway around the church can be dangerous.

"You've got those guys that drink and sit in the alley, really have nowhere to go and hanging around that alley," Pendarvis said.

Daniels lives in Oklahoma City and drives the nearly 60 miles down to Anadarko for services each Sunday.

Brown said the church did not have a regular congregation, but that Daniels was there every Sunday in case people came in to pray or hear a sermon.

"From the little bit I know about her, she was very dedicated to her calling," Brown said.

Daniels was a graduate of Douglass High School in Oklahoma City and the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. She is survived by her adult daughter, Raina.