An elderly, devout Christian who volunteered at a local ministry was brutally killed several weeks ago, and authorities say the man charged with her murder kidnapped her from her home, then sexually abused and tortured her before her death.

When police found her body in the trunk of the man's car, it had been beaten beyond recognition.

As reported by The Oregonian, Timothy Joseph Mackley, 58, of Portland, could receive the death penalty.

The body of the victim, Marcine Herinck, 89, also of Portland, was located Sept. 24 after a frantic, five-day search. She had been reported missing Sept. 19 after leaving her home.

A Multnomah County grand jury handed up a 23-count indictment against Mackley, a registered sex offender. He is charged with aggravated murder, intentional murder, first-degree burglary, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree sexual abuse and abuse of a corpse, according to the district attorney's office.

Mackley pleaded not guilty in Multnomah County Circuit Court, but during the arraignment some spectators gasped or cried as he appeared to roll his eyes, bounce up and down and speak to himself.

At 4-foot-10, Herinck was a great-grandmother, churchgoer and avid volunteer. She had stocked shelves weekly since 2014 at Portland Adventist Community Services, a food pantry and thrift shop at 11020 N.E. Halsey St. For about 20 years she attended Crossroads Church at 2505 N.E. 102nd Ave., where she led Bible studies and organized toy drives for children.

A prayer service in her honor was held at the church on Sept. 26, where more than 100 people shared memories of a spunky, generous and gregarious woman known for her sense of humor and smile.

Pastor Chris Blair told the crowd he was sick with grief and anger over Herinck's death, but that memories of her wonderful life would serve to bring light into people's lives and to be an example of hope and courage.

During the service, Jeff Herinck, Marcine's son, thanked the crowd for their support and said a memorial service would be held at a later date.

Police found Herinck's body in the trunk after stopping Mackley's car near Southeast 92nd Avenue and Holgate Boulevard.

Staff at the Adventist ministry said Mackey had been seen in the store Sept. 18, the last day that Herinck was seen there. Authorities said that while at the store, Mackley dropped his cell phone on the floor, and Herinck then accused the man of trying to look up her dress. Mackley was asked to leave, and eventually he trailed Herinck home from her volunteer shift that day and later broke into her house and kidnapped her, the indictment alleges.

The Oregonian reported that records show Mackley was convicted in 1989 on sodomy and sex abuse and sentenced to 20 years in prison. After his release he failed to register as a sex offender and has told authorities he has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. He also was sentenced to probation for 10 other convictions from 1989 through 2010.

During a news conference Sept. 28, Jeff Herinck and other family members called for changes to the law that might ensure people with similar records are kept off the streets and thus prevent other such attacks.

In a website statement, Portland Adventist Community Services Executive Director, Mark Fulop, said Herinck was loved by staff, volunteers and regular store customers.

"We join Marcine's family and friends in grieving her death," Fulop wrote. "We know that violence is an ever-present reality in our society and that even those, like Marcine, who are committed to making the world a better place are not immune from the random actions inflicted by the worst elements of humanity ... However, the presence of evil cannot eclipse the goodness and mercy of God. God is the Great Comforter and Physician who draws near to all in times of crisis. I am painfully aware that these words at this moment can ring hollow, but it is ours to hold on through faith." Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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