Former Bristol pastor found dead after apparent murder-suicide

Daniel Randall was pastor at First Congregational Church until early 2015

EastBayRI.com ·

A former pastor at First Congregational Church in Bristol has been found dead, along with his daughter, in a house in Maine after an apparent murder-suicide, Maine State Police announced.

Police in Hebron, Maine, suspect Daniel Randall, 56, shot his daughter, Claire Randall, before turning the gun on himself. A shotgun was found near Mr. Randall's body, police said. Ms. Randall, who was valedictorian of Mt. Hope High School's 2008 class, was 27 years old. She was found in a bathroom in the home, according to police.

A neighbor discovered the bodies Thursday at Mr. Randall's home at 75 Marshall Road in Hebron, Maine, according to police. That neighbor had been called by a family member who asked that they check on the residents.

Interviewed at the end of the Randall driveway, Maine State Police Sgt. Mark Holmquist told WMTW ABC 8 television, “At approximately five minutes of two (Thursday), the county sheriff’s department received a call to proceed to this address, and a male subject was found deceased on the porch. A neighbor who found the male subject on the porch actually called 911. 

“They found another subject inside the residence, a female," continued Sgt. Holmquist, who added Mr. Randall was recently being treated at an alcohol treatment center. "The other family member hadn’t been in the house for a time but obviously has a history here.” 

First Congregational Church on High Street declined to comment at this time. The church is expected to release a formal statement soon.

Mr. Randall was the husband of Anita Randall, the former executive director of the East Bay Food Pantry. The couple has a son, Gabe, 14. Claire Randall and sister Molly were born to Mr. Randall's first wife, Greta, who died in a fall in 1994 while pregnant with the couple's third child, Lucas Barron Randall, who died a day later.

"We're all in shock right now," said Nicki Tyska, who replaced Anita Randall at the food pantry. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Randall family. I can't imagine what they're going through."

While in Bristol, Mr. Randall also served as a chaplain at Roger Williams University from 2009-2012. The university issued a statement Friday morning noting he was never an employee at the university but was paid as a vendor for chaplain services.

Mr. Randall resigned from First Congregational Church in January 2015, telling the congregation in a letter that he wanted to seek a new direction after 12 years at the church.

"You are dear to us all," Mr. Randall wrote in his letter. "You are a community of faith that has been on a remarkable and historic path in the last 12 years, along with me. This is why my decision is so challenging at this time, but also is flavored with a hopeful and peaceful feeling."

He spoke of trying to make a difference in the church and in the community, and expressed gratitude that he and his family were able to make an impact.

"In these 12 years, we have been about giving. Making a difference in our community and world," wrote Mr. Randall, who performed his last Mass on Jan. 26, 2015. "In big ways, we have become Open and Affirming, and we founded the East Bay Food Pantry. Where there was once a 'quiet church on the corner' now FCC lives out 'the extravagant generosity of God' in so many ways, big and little."

First Congregational Church congregant Kate Sparrow  remembers Mr. Randall and the family from their time in the community.

"I am profoundly grievous for the family," Ms. Sparrow said. "It's just unimaginable. I'm just grieving and praying for the family."

The Randall family reportedly moved from Bristol to Maine earlier this year. The couple is still listed as the owners of a home on Lisa Lane in Bristol.

This is a developing story. Check back with eastbayri.com for more information as it becomes available. The Maine State Police is expected to issue an update on the case later Friday afternoon, according to Public Information Officer Stephen McCausland.

First Congregational Church, Pastor Dan Randall