Female Pastor Stabbed To Death By Son Following Domestic Dispute

A 61-year-old pastor is reportedly dead after she was stabbed by her son inside their home on Wyona Street near Livonia Avenue in New Lots just after 2:00 p.m. Saturday per reports.

Tracey Sydnor, the executive pastor of Upper Room Baptist Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant, was allegedly stabbed multiple times by her son, Kenji Francis in their home on Jan. 29.

The 61-year-old pastor was rushed to the Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center but eventually succumbed.

Francis was taken into custody after he was collared at the scene of the crime. He is charged with murder as well as an unlawful activity-dangerous weapon rap.

Upon checking records, Francis did not have any previous criminal or psychiatric history, police added. Further details are expected to be released in the coming days.

Sydnor was reportedly appointed pastor only two months ago. Following reports of her death, Bishop J. Carl Henderson, the senior pastor at the church, urged the community to include the Sydnor family in their prayers.

“Please keep the Sydnor, Francis, Chambers and Upper Room Family in prayer as we mourn the loss of our Mother, sister, cousin, friend and Executive Pastor, Pastor Tracey Sydnor,” a Facebook post read. “Further information will be released in the days to come.”

One of Sydnor’s friends, Yvonne Chambers adds that the 61-year-old was a consumable lady.

“You didn’t hide your love for God,” she wrote also on a Facebook post. “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. I was looking forward to our future road trips before and after you retired. While I don’t understand God’s plan, he has spoken and we are all trying to understand and accept his will.”