[Sly Fox]

You hate to find people under such horrendous circumstances, but here is someone the Old Hags from the '80s & Early '90s will certainly remember. A Montgomery, AL television station indicates he was likely murdered:

Death Of Montgomery Minister Deeply Affects Snowdoun Pastor

June 25, 2007 08:58 PM

Nearly 7 years ago pastor Steve Campbell used a Sunday service to dedicate the new Snowdoun Baptist Church. Campbell had a special guest in the congregation that day.. Reverend Gary Aldridge.

"Gary was a dear friend of mine," Campbell said.

Reverend Gary Aldridge was found dead in his home in east Montgomery. He was the senior pastor at Thorington Road Baptist Church for the last 15 years.

Click Here for Full Story & Links to Video

I hate to start speculation on this one until more details come out. This is a tragedy of epic proportions for his family and church.

He used to lead the singing in Convocation (then called Chapel) and sang "People Need the Lord" all the time and was famous for trying ot get several thousand college kids to settle down by repeating "Young people" over and over again.

[PAmedic]

what the....



that's horrible.

boy I remember that "young people"

always attributed it to Sumner Wemp, but I guess you're right

sad news.

[Sly Fox]

Funeral Arrangements and a statement from the church are now posted on the church's website:

Thorington Road Baptist Website

Our Church Grieves

Press Release, June 25th 2007



The family, leadership, and staff of Thorington Road Baptist Church are saddened and grief stricken by the sudden death of our Pastor, Gary Aldridge. While it is unimaginable to put our emotions into words, we rely on the strength of our Almighty God and Savior, Jesus Christ. We know as the days pass, we will depend not on our own strength but upon the comfort and guidance given to us by the Holy Spirit.

Brother Gary was the pastor of Thorington Road Baptist Church for sixteen years beginning in 1991 and was instrumental in leading our church to grow spiritually, physically, and numerically over his long tenure. Our Creator filled Bro. Gary with a zeal for life and ministry. He passionately pursued God daily as he walked through his days loving his wife, his church and the Great Commission of our faith.

As our leadership sorts through this difficult time, our church asks the media and community to be respectful to the facts of the event. At this point, there is very little information. Please refrain from speculation until the authorities handling the case reveal the facts. We appreciate your help and sensitivity while our church family and friends grieve. Our church would like to express our great appreciation to the authorities for their sensitivity to our loss and diligent work.

Our thoughts and prayers cover Pastor Aldridge�s wife and family during this difficult time. We respectfully ask the media and public to respect the privacy of the family and the church at this time. We also ask the media and public to understand that our church has no further statements or information. Any and all facts of the situation will be released by the proper authorities.

We would like to invite the members of our church and community to join us for a prayer service at Thorington Road Baptist Church on Tuesday, June 26th at 7:00 p.m. Counselors will be available at that time as we will begin the healing process under the strong arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

[Sly Fox]

More details are coming out and he was indeed murdered at his home in Alabama while his wife & child were in North Carolina visiting a sick relative. This is going to get more hurtful for the family by minute it appears.

Minister died of asphyxiation

By Andre Coe
Montgomery Advertiser


Their pastor was dead. The church members were still in shock.

Youth Minister Charlie Swain and one of the members of Thorington Road Baptist Church embraced. Another woman stood silently and wept.

The congregation's senior pastor, the Rev. Gary M. Aldridge, had been found dead at his home Sunday morning under unusual circumstances.

Aldridge died of asphyxiation, according to a preliminary report from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. The police went on to state that Aldridge evidently did not die from random criminal activity. Forensic Sciences also said there were no signs of injuries to Aldridge's body.

Click Here for Full Story

[Baldspot]

This is awful. I had lunch with Gary at the hot dog joint off campus during Jerry's funeral (I think its called Mertz?). Hadn't seen him in more than a decade. He was in town taking a doctoral class and was looking forward to going on a hunting trip. His church was apparently doing very well.

[olldflame]

I went to school and sang in the college choir with Gary back in the 70's. I believe he "borrowed" the "young people" line from Sumner. A talented man with a humble and gentle spirit.

[bigsmooth]

wow. i remember him! that is awful. my prayers are with the family.

[4everfsu]

What year did Gary graduate from LU?

[Baldspot]

I believe '78 or '79 for his undergrad. He was on campus for a number of years however serving as the Dean of Residence Life until he became a pastor. He was closing in on his DMin from Liberty.

[Sly Fox]

The picture above looks nearly exactly the way he look back int he Late '80s on campus with a wrinkle or two added.

[JeanW]

Oh my!!! This is awful news. So sad. I went to LU with Gary. He was in some of my classes and we were in Student Government together.

I am so sad for his wife and family. He's in heaven tonight . . with Jerry.

P.S. When I knew him he had more hair!

[Sly Fox]

There are a lot of hurting people in Montgomery right now.

Slideshow of Prayer Service at Thorington Rd. Baptist Church

[Sly Fox]

Story on the prayer service:

Church grieves for minister

By Cyril Josh Barker
Montgomery Advertiser


The grieving process began Tuesday night for Thorington Road Baptist Church. A prayer service allowed the congregation and the community to remember Pastor Gary Aldridge, who was found dead in his home on Sunday.

There were so many at the church that mourners filled the sanctuary and spilled out into the lobby, where folding chairs had to be set up.

Leaders of the church led prayers and hymns in memory of Aldridge, who had been pastor of the church since 1990. Crying could be heard in the church as the congregation took moments to say prayers for Aldridge, his family and themselves.

Click Here for Full Story

[62Strat]

we will put the family on our prayer list and of course pray this evening. I remember him well! I am sure he was an amazing pastor he always had a humble spirit heart for the Lord!

[SeoulFlame]

I talked to my dad and he also sang and traveled with Gary for about a year. The Hale family is praying for Aldridge family.

[aspiano]

We traveled and respresented LU in the first full - time road team LBC Singers back in 75 - 76. 300 church concerts, 80,000, 35 states with a team of 14 singers. We were a family (and some of you thought athletes were the only way to be a family at LU).....and when a member of OUR family is hurt, wounded and in this case I believe murder, OUR family should stay up and demand that JUSTICE and HONESTY prevails.....

I will not rest until the truth is told about my friends death.

I sent the following email today to all the local radio and TV stations in the Montgomery, AL area...
Your welcome to join me in pressuring the local police department to confess rather than hide the truth....

to Andre, reporter at Montgomeryadvertiser.com

Dear Andre - I appreciated again your thoughtful coverage of the passing of my friend Gary Aldridge, Senior Pastor of Thorington Baptist in Montgomery, AL.

Gary and I were close friends and graduates of Liberty Univ.

I am perplexed at the many conflicting reports that the print and TV Media.
Since his passing I have read and heard the following from reporters and or detectives such as yourself;

1) Gary was beaten beyond recognition requiring dental records for ID.
This was heard on a TV station in Lynchburg, VA.

2) Gary's house was found at the crime scene with sex toys and condums all over the house.

3) Gary died of 'accidental aphexiation'.

4) There was no foul play.

5) There was foul play.

6) This was a homicide.

7) This was not a homicide.

8 ) In addition to being beaten, Gary was bound and gagged.

9) This was NOT a homicide.

Since I understand there is a member of Gary's church who is a sheriff, and the sorid details at the crime scene could be embarrassing to the church and the community, the police department has impetus to drag their feet on revealing the TRUTH about the crime scene and may even try to hide information that the public really should know, especially if there is a killer on the loose in Montgomery.

Will you be the reporter who can put enough pressure on the powers that be to publish the first honest report about what really happened to my friend Gary?

Art Scott

[Sly Fox]

Welcome to the board, aspiano ... even if they were under unfortunate circumstances. As somebody who was a crime beat rteporter for a number of years I admit the way the police are handling this case is odd.

[aspiano]

in rsponse to this link posted today
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/app ... 40329/1001

Gary Aldridge - in heaven looking down at US

I think Gary would want the truth to be told. In fact, I know so - I knew him that well.

It this truly were NOT a homicide and NOT a suicide as the police have claimed so far - then there is NO reason to hide anything about this investigation.

However, if Gary was murdered and there was another or several other people involved, for the sake of the safety of his widow and the community at large, the MPD owes an immediate disclosure to the public.

Part of what Christianity represents is telling the truth at all times. So far, the leadership of his church and it's members have not told the truth. Neither has the police. Sad commentary on Christianity.

What is it going to take to disclose the truth here? Hundreds of Gary's alumni from Liberty University from around the world are awaiting the truth.

Does another person have to die in a similar crime in Montgomery for the truth to be told?

[aspiano]

So now the Montgomeryadvertiser.com as come forth with the news that Gary Aldridge's autopsy is complete but they are holding the results pending the police investigation.

I posted some remarks in the public forum and in a few hours, they were removed.

Seems like the Montgomeradvertiser is in bed with the local police department.

There also seems to be this under current of wanting the reasons, the honest reasons for Gary's death to be swept under the carpet and that people would loose interest in this case.

Can I request that those of you who care, and I know you are out there, do a goggle search for the Montgomery Police Dept. , Criminal Investigation Division and send them a few emails, daily, till the truth is told.

The truth after all sets all of us free.....ags

[JDUB]

is there any chance that there covering it up because they need to for the investigation?
just wondering, i don't know much about police stuff
if there is no legitimate reason for hiding it, then i agree we need to pressure them to give up the details. my parents knew gary, or at least knew of him

[aspiano]

As LU Alumni we should have compassion and concern and offer support when one of our own passes away. We need to all help find out why Gary died, if there was a killer, etc.
Send emails and phone calls to the church and the local police dept in Montgomery, AL.

The TRUTH needs to be flushed out here - that will end all speculation.


here are some comments made over the past few days lifted from the Montgomeryadvertiser.com

eader Comment Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:15 am
The Thorington Road parish wants to squelch any revelation that might suggest that auto-erotic asphyxiation was involved. Thus we are reading only very delicate descriptions of the situation as being suspicious.

The public has the right to know what caused his death, just as they would for anyone else.
One last lesson from the pastor? Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:55 pm
First of all, Drinkard with the MPD opened the door for all this speculation with his elusive comments he gave the media the day the pastor was found. From the information given, if foul play wasn't involved it sounds like maybe autoerotic asphyxiation. For those who don't know what this is, look it up. For those who do, this sexual practice causes the deaths of about 50 young men annually nationwide. If this was the cause of his death, the publication of the real truth and the discussion about it afterward may save the life of someone.
Reader Comment Tue Jul 17, 2007 4:06 pm
>>I stand corrected.

Not a problem...
Reader Comment Tue Jul 17, 2007 3:20 pm
I stand corrected.
Reader Comment Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:42 am
you miss the point mrnurse2u.

>>Coroners and medical examiners, who under State or other law typically are public officials, have a legitimate need to obtain protected health information in an expeditious manner in order to carry out their legal responsibility to identify deceased persons and determine cause of death.

coroners "have a legitimate need to obtain"...

this regulation is in regards to coroners getting your medical records, not coroners disseminating information such as autopsy reports.

I understand what you are trying to say here, but you are misreading your source.
Reader Comment Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:50 am
Bufe, I took this excerpt out and pasted it here. The part about public interest outweighs any individual privacy interests... Show me anywhere in this regulatory language where it speaks to the privacy of the family?

"Coroners and medical examiners, who under State or other law typically are public officials, have a legitimate need to obtain protected health information in an expeditious manner in order to carry out their legal responsibility to identify deceased persons and determine cause of death. Such disclosure would be clearly in the public interest, and should be included among the types of disclosures for which the public interest in efficient sharing of medical information outweighs any individual privacy interests that may be compromised."



Reader Comment Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:39 am
I'd like to agree with mrnurse2u... the problem is that both of these involve disclosure TO coroners not BY coroners.
Reader Comment Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:37 am
In accordance with the HIPAA rule, it is disclosable by law from the coroner the cause of death. It is in the public's interest.

http://www.cap.org/apps/docs/hipaa/dece ... mbined.pdf

http://www.hipaadvisory.com/regs/standa ... edexam.htm
Reader Comment Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:31 am
>>This is really making me sick. We have a lot of rights in this country but the last one on the list would be the right to know what happened to Brother Gary. Yes, I visited that church, yes, I have friends that knew him very well, and yes, everyone would like to know what happened. But you have to be some kind of idiot to think YOU have the RIGHT to know so you can have something to talk about around the watercooler or dinner table.

I do have a RIGHT to have access to public Autopsy reports. I also have a RIGHT to make sure justice was served in this instance. These are RIGHTS that we all have.

However, I also have a RIGHT to public documents. I did not care whether I saw them or not, until they kept them from us... I will make sure that my RIGHTS are not infringed.

>>The bottom line, leave this man's memory and his family alone. It's not a murder, it's not a suicide.

How do you know? Because you were told so by the powers that be?

If that were truly the case, then what are they investigating?

You are being lied to. Either they are investigating this as a possible murder/suicide, or they have nothing to investigate in regards to this issue. Correct?

It can't be both ways. The information is being held back because they are investigating something. So then it must be either a murder or a suicide. Either way you are being lied to, and you don't care.

Also, they are giving preferential treatment to him. They wouldn't do this for me if I was found in a similar state, I can guarantee you. That's another thing I have a RIGHT to be upset about. If they are going to make public the autopsies and information surrounding the deaths of ALL other Montgomery citizens, then they must treat this citizen the same. That's called equality. Unless you are suggesting we create a separate class of citizen... the clergy, which gets special treatment by the police department. Is that what you are suggesting?
Reader Comment Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:32 am
>>Furthermore, autopsies are public record. To keep that information from the public without foul play, is a cover up... and one thing citizens of this country don't like... is a cover up. We have a RIGHT to know that justice was served, not just a RIGHT to be told justice was served.

To add another note. If there was no foul play, and this was a natural or accidental death, and privacy is being maintained, then why did the newspaper publish that the autopsy report is not going to be released? The newspaer in itself is stirring up public interest in the matter by printing this story. And if they newspaper is stirring up public interest in this matter, then why are the administrators of this forum getting upset with people talking about this subject? The paper should never have printed the article then.

[aspiano]

the follow article appeared today, July 26 in the Montgomeryadvertiser.com

If find it very hypocritical; how can the Montgomery Police Department do a thorough death investigation one our friend Gary Aldridge unless they are given the facts in the form of the finished autopsy and forensics report.

WHAT IS WRONG HERE?????

July 26, 2007

Baylor denies Aldridge autopsy cover-up

By Andre Coe
acoe@gannett.com




Montgomery Police Chief Arthur Baylor said Tuesday that his department has not received a copy of the final autopsy report in the death of the Rev. Gary M. Aldridge.

Montgomery County District Attorney Ellen Brooks has sealed the case, citing a continuing investigation, according to Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences Director Michael Sparks.

Aldridge was found dead in his home June 24 after he failed to show up for Sunday services at Thorington Road Baptist Church, where he was the minister.

"Some people want us to violate the law," Baylor said Tuesday in a meeting with Montgomery Advertiser editors. "We can't do that. There's no cover-up here. ... There's no reason to cover up."

Baylor said the only information his department has received was the preliminary autopsy report, which stated Aldridge died of asphyxiation.

Baylor said his investigators must wait for the official autopsy. He did not speculate on when that report would be released, pointing to a backlog of cases that the Department of Forensic Sciences is grappling with.

"There is not really anything I can release to let you know anything about the case one way or the other," Sparks said in a voice mail response to a request for information.

Dr. Stephen Boudreaux, a medical examiner, said July 13 that he had completed the autopsy report and sent it the Department of Forensic Sciences.

Boudreaux said he had received a letter from the district attorney's office instructing him not to release any of his findings.

[Cider Jim]

Gary has been dead for over a month now, and we still have very few answers.

[aspiano]

Everyday I am sad for the loss of Gary. I am saddened even deeper that know one from his church or community wants to step forward and tell the truth....

I am convinced after discussing this case with several detectives and law enforcement folks in the Montgomery area, that there was at least one other person involved in what I would call a hate crime.

If the issue is on the table involves embarassment for his widow and his church body, I still think people need to know the truth.....

Otherwise, people and especially Baptists / Christians will speculate and gossip about what may of happened for years.

I do hope they find the other person(s) and arrest and convict them if it is appropriate.

Feel free to drop me a line with your opinion and or knowledge of this case.
aspiano@aol.com Art S., Class of 1980

[Sly Fox]

Keep us posted, Art. This clearly is not a simple matter or it would've been revealed by now.