Community members host fundraiser to help family of slain Texas woman

March 24, 2014

Community members held a public bake sale fundraiser on Sunday to help the family of a Texas woman slain earlier this month. Alicia Benefield, 19, of was killed allegedly by her boyfriend, Rodris Webster. Sharon Jernigan of was the key organizer of the fundraiser.

On Friday, Mrs. Jernigan told Wikinews, "This murder has devastated the entire community." The fundraiser was held at a small grocery store in the neighboring town of, which borders the –Texas state line. Sunday evening, Jernigan reported, "The bake sale was a big success."

Webster, 25, was arrested early last week and charged with one count of murder and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Benefield's body was found in, Texas. Upon hearing of the discovery, a family member of the victim posted to his page, "Struggling to know how someone could do such a horrific thing." Webster is presently being held on 1 million bond in the jail. Earlier, he was questioned by police on March 16, just two days after Benefield's car was found at a church near her home, but was released after five hours of questioning.