The pastor of a Norfolk man who was murdered after responding to a job on Craigslist is warning people about the dangers of meeting up with strangers. Pastor Kenny Bryant knew 51 year old David Pauley who was killed in Ohio.
After a desperate job search, which lasted about a year, Pauley finally found a desirable job on Craigslist.
He was going to be a farm hand getting paid $300 a week. He packed everything he owned in a truck including a collection of model trains, and headed for a new life in Ohio.
But police say once he got there, there was no job, and he was lured to be killed. Pauley's body was found in a shallow grave 90 miles south of Akron.
Pauley lived with his brother in Norfolk while looking for work and attended Tabernacle Church in Norfolk.
Pastor Kenny Bryant says Pauley was a handy man, and was instrumental in helping to renovate the youth center. He was skilled and could fix almost anything.
'Whether it was plumbing, whether it was AC work, carpentry, he was jack of all trades and he could get the job done,' said Pastor Bryant.
He says Pauley was a quiet man, and a hard worker. Which is why the 'fake' job in Ohio was a perfect fit for him. Pauley was first reported missing and then later his body was found.
'Here is a case in point where a great guy who meant a lot to a lot of people lost his life because he trusted someone on Craigslist, it isn't worth the risk,' said Pastor Bryant.
The body of a second man who also responded to a similar Craigslist ad was found on Friday. Police identified him as Timothy Kerns.
A third body has been found but not identified. Afourth man, who also responded to the same job ad was shot but escaped.
Two men are being investigated in the case, 52 year old Richard Beasly, and 16 year old Brogan Rafferty.
Pauley is divorced and has a son in Norfolk He liked model trains and Nascar. He worked as a truck driver in the past.
Bryant wants to remind everyone to be extra careful when responding to ads on Craigslist. With the holidays approaching, many people will be buying and selling on the website, and he advises people not to meet up with strangers.
He doesn't want another family to lose a hard working loved one, who just wanted a job.
