Rebekah Gay Update: 200 people gather in honor of Mich. mother allegedly slain by ex-convict

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Rebekah Gay

/ Mt. Pleasant Police Dept.

(CBS/AP) MIDLAND, Mich. - About 200 people gathered outside a Michigan high school on Friday to remember Rebekah Gay, a young mother whose death has been linked to an ex-convict.

PICTURES: Ex-con, pastor admits to murdering Mich. mom

MLive.com reports that friends and family met outside Bullock Creek High School in Midland, where Gay graduated in 2007, lighting candles in the slain woman's honor. Police say ex-convict John D. White, who became a pastor, confessed to killing her Wednesday and dumping her body in a rural area as part of a sexual fantasy.

White has been charged with first-degree murder in Isabella County. He and Gay lived in separate homes in the same trailer park. White was engaged to Gay's mother and often watched her 3-year-old son while Gay worked.

He was pastor of a tiny congregation at Christ Community Fellowship, west of Mount Pleasant. The church held its first Sabbath worship service Sunday since its then-pastor was arrested. The Morning Sun of Mount Pleasant says about 20 members attended.

Service leader Donna Houghton says there were some blessings in the midst of "a horrendous week" and says there will come a time of forgiveness.

More on Crimesider
November 2, 2012 - Rebekah Gay Update: Pastor who police say confessed to killing Mich. mom was engaged to victim's mother, report says
Nov. 2, 2012: Rebekah Gay Murder: Pastor, who is an ex-con, admits to killing Mich. mom as part of sex fantasy, reports say