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Midlothian Community Honors Missy Bevers With 5k Run

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MIDLOTHIAN (CBSDFW.COM) - More than six months after fitness instructor Missy Bevers was murdered in a Midlothian church, the search for her killer continues, but Saturday was an opportunity to remember her as more than just a victim.

Investigators at the Midlothian Police Department have had their work cut out for them looking into more than a thousand tips in the Missy Bevers case, and as that work continues, friends and family are also committed to honoring her memory.

As a fitness instructor who loved children, friends say Missy Bevers would have loved to see the turnout at the Waxahachie 5K in her honor to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club.

"Today was an opportunity for me to really share what Missy did and to keep her passion living in life," longtime friend Renee Jones said.

Jones said it was refreshing to see her friend's name associated with something positive.

In April, Bevers was setting up for a fitness class inside a Midlothian church. Security camera video from that day shows someone wearing police gear with a distinctive walk enter the church and stab her to death with a blunt object.

"Everyone's looking, Everyone's on guard, and we're going to continue as a community to work with the investigative team, to work with the police department," Jones said.

But Jones insists loved ones also want the public to remember the life before the tragic end.

"We have to move forward in life, and the goal is to continue her name, but do it in a positive way that would honor her and that would make her proud," Jones said.

Organizers were able to raise more than $13,000 in just a few hours to benefit the Boys & Girls Club. They plan to make this an annual event in Bevers' name.

(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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