By Rich Flowers News Editor
CHANDLER — A woman charged in the stabbing death of her sister last Friday has a long history of mental illness, a family member told the Review Monday.
Hollie Helrigel, the niece of Beverly Clark and Bonnie Haldeman, said she lived near both aunts on Farm-to-Market Road 3079. Clark is accused of stabbing and killing Haldeman, 64, last week.
Haldeman is the mother of David Koresh, the infamous self-proclaimed leader of the Branch Davidian sect. Koresh, along with many of his followers, died in a fire during a standoff with federal agents on April 19, 1993. Seventy-five people died that day.
Helrigel said she remembers Haldeman often coming to the aid of Clark, her sister. Haldeman had reportedly gone to Clark’s residence Friday to take her to the doctor on the afternoon of her death.
“Beverly had suffered from mental illness since she was in her late teens,“ Helrigel said. “She was sick. Like so many other times, Bonnie was trying to get her to where she needed to be to get the help she needed to get her back on track.”
Clark, 54, remained in the Henderson County Jail Monday, with bond on the murder charge set at $500,000.
Helrigel said Haldeman should be remembered for more than the Koresh connection.
“She had gotten past all that and was moving on with her life,” Helrigel said. “This incident doesn’t have anything to do with what happened in Waco. I think they need to let them rest in peace.”
Haldeman was working as a pediatric licensed vocational nurse at Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler at the time of her death, Helrigel said.
“She was a very caring, loving person,” Helrigel said. “She was always trying to help somebody and was especially close to her four-year-old granddaughter.”
Bonnie had recently started attending the Chandler Seventh Day Adventist Fellowship, Helrigel said.
“She was a very spiritual person. She knew who God was.”
Helrigel said her aunt Bonnie had two especially close friends who she stayed in contact with and had talked with one by phone shortly before her death.
“She was loved by many. She doesn’t deserve all the things written about who she was related to. She needs to be remembered for who she was,” Helrigel said.
The Henderson County Sheriff’s Department released no new information regarding Haldeman’s death Monday.
Attempts to reach lead investigator Wick Gabbard were unsuccessful.
