New film: Where There Is Darkness

It wasn’t like Fr. Rene Robert to miss a funeral service like the one he was supposed to attend on April 12, 2016.

Fr. Rene RobertAfter Fr. Rene failed to answer subsequent calls to his cellphone, his friends reported him missing, setting into motion a frantic search that led investigators to suspect the worst.

Described as a “living saint,” Fr. Rene Robert was a beloved figure in the tight-knit community of St. Augustine, Florida—a humble Catholic priest with a special place in his heart for people cast aside by the rest of society.

Police suspected foul play early on in Fr. Rene’s disappearance, and the local sheriff put some of his best detectives on the case to help find his missing friend.

Days later, 28-year-old Steven Murray was spotted driving the priest’s blue Toyota Corolla.

When police eventually captured Murray, he led investigators to Fr. Rene’s body after admitting that he had kidnapped the priest in Jacksonville, FL, and drove him against his will to South Carolina.

Murray claimed to have forced Fr. Rene into the trunk of the car at some point during the ordeal. Hours later, he drove down a remote logging trail in rural Georgia, let Fr. Rene out of the trunk, and shot him to death at the edge of a forest.


Those who knew and loved Fr. Rene were horrified that such a peaceful man could have met such a violent death.

The tragic news sent shockwaves through the St. Augustine community and beyond. The only consolation for those who had been praying for Fr. Rene, it seemed, was that Steven Murray's confession answered some of the questions surrounding the beloved priest's disappearance, namely the who, what, where, and how

But no one, not even Steven himself, could answer the biggest question:

Why?

 

Steven Murray

Prosecutors announced that they would seek the death penalty in the murder case. Many people—including many of Fr. Rene’s heartbroken family and friends—felt that Murray deserved nothing less than execution for committing such a heinous crime.

But then came a voice from beyond the grave… the voice of Fr. Rene himself.

Declaration of LifeThe secretary at the bishop’s office was going through Fr. Rene’s old files when she stumbled upon a document titled DECLARATION OF LIFE which Fr. Rene had signed in 1995—more than 20 years earlier. The document read in part:

Should I die as a result of a violent crime, I request that the person or persons found guilty of homicide for my killing not be subject to or put in jeopardy of the death penalty under any circumstance, no matter how heinous their crime or how much I have suffered.
                                                                     –Fr. Rene Robert

It was as if Fr. Rene had foreseen the circumstances of his own death. The bishop immediately sent the letter to the prosecutor’s office and urged them to reconsider their pursuit of the death penalty in the case…

But would anyone listen?

 

Where There Is Darkness

Stella Mar Films has been following this story as it unfolds, and we're hard at work making a feature-length docu-drama about it called Where There Is Darkness. Visit the film's official website here.

 

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7 comments


  • Nancy Jurinek

    I just recently learned about Father Rene and it was very shocking and hurtful to me. He was truly a martyr to our faith and should be considered for sainthood. I just can’t comprehend how anyone could hurt someone who gave their life to this cause. Evil is rampant in our world and Satan is on the lose. All my love and prayers to Father Rene and his family. As Jesus Christ an innocent was crucified without a struggle Father Rene submitted to his own crucifixion, As Jesus on the cross forgave Father Rene as a martyr and disciple of Jesus Christ forgave his murderer. It makes me so sad however, I know Father Rene is with Jesus now as one of the Saints.


  • Nancy Jurinek

    I just recently learned about Father Rene and it was very shocking and hurtful to me. He was truly a martyr to our faith and should be considered for sainthood. I just can’t comprehend how anyone could hurt someone who gave their life to this cause. Evil is rampant in our world and Satan is on the lose. All my love and prayers to Father Rene and his family. As Jesus Christ an innocent was crucified without a struggle Father Rene submitted to his own crucifixion, As Jesus on the cross forgave Father Rene as a martyr and disciple of Jesus Christ forgave his murderer. It makes me so sad however, I know Father Rene is with Jesus now as one of the Saints.


  • Mike Armstrong

    Sean and team,

    We were so lucky to have attended the movie in Houston this past week. I will endeavor via facebook to get this message as the world is on the brink and we need to love and forgive each other


  • Laura White

    I have known Fr RENE for 28 years. He was my childhood priest for the deaf and has worked with my home Deaf ministry over 25 to 30 years. I am forever blessed to have known him. He was an angel over my shoulder and always will be. 🤟🏼


  • Faith And Donald Novella

    My husband knew Fr Rene for 52 years, we are deaf and Fr Rene was very supportive with our deaf community, he always with us and the people in St Augustine community for our helps and needs as we do the same with our Fr Rene. He was the most trust and lovey priest we felt with him, now he’s gone and our lives will not be the same without him.


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