Pastor Tracey Sydnor dies after being stabbed 15 times by son; church prays for its 'angel'
A 40-year-old man has been charged with killing his 61-year-old mother in Brooklyn. The victim was a pastor with a 'beautiful voice' and a 'beautiful personality' and her Brooklyn church expressed grief for the 'angel'.
Tracey Sydnor, the executive pastor of Upper Room Baptist Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant, was murdered by her son, Kenji Francis on Saturday, 29 January. She was stabbed at least 15 times all over her body, including her neck, ear and hands. The pastor was rushed to Brookdale University Hospital, but unfortunately, she passed away and Francis was taken into custody at the house.
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Kenji Francis has been charged with murder and unlawful activity-dangerous weapon, authorities confirmed on Monday, 31 January. Speaking to the New York Daily News, a police source on Saturday said: "It seems like he just snapped. He has no history with mental illness and has no prior arrests."
They added that a knife, which is supposedly the murder weapon, was recovered from a bedroom in Sydnor's Brooklyn home on Wyona Street.
(Photo Credit- Facebook/Tracey Sdynor)
The tragic incident was a blow to the Upper Room Baptist Church, where Sydnor was much loved and respected. The members of the church expressed their grief for the angel and they also flooded Synor with a heartfelt tribute.
In a tribute post to the late pastor, Yvonne Chambers wrote of Sydnor's 'love for God' on Facebook. She said: "I had no idea when we spoke Tuesday evening and decided to cancel our trip to Albany, Georgia that would be our last conversation. I am glad that we ended with I love you cuz. You were the consummate lady. You didn't hide your love for God. I am grateful for our conversations around how you knew you were called to the ministry.I being tone deaf envied in a good way your beautiful voice. I am grateful we finally got to celebrate your 60th birthday."
In another heartfelt message, Ernest L Ward III, who knew Sydnor since they were a teenager, wrote: "She's always been so supportive. Tracey's voice was memorable…I often reminisce about the songs she led. A true Angel on earth has returned home."
Another tribute post to Sydnor from Terrence Reed said: "Pastor Tracey Sydnor You Will Definitely Be Missed! I’m Praying For The Family As Well As My Upper Room Family!"
According to a report by The New York Daily News, Sydnor had only been the executive pastor of the congregation for two full months, after being appointed in November. She had grown up attending the church and later led its choir.
The publication also reported that Bishop J Carl Henderson of the Upper Room Baptist Church offered prayers for her family during a sermon at the church on Sunday. "God bless you and please my sister, please my brother continue to pray for the family, her children, her siblings and her extended family and our church family as a whole," he said. "Our church is suffering a loss."