On September 8th, 2023, the community came together in West Garfield Park to remember and mourn the loss of Pastor Marisol Berrios, a selfless woman who dedicated her life to helping those in need. Her tragic death was allegedly carried out by Marvin Wells, a man she had regularly assisted by setting aside deliveries from the local food pantry for him, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Marisol Berrios, 53, touched the lives of countless people with her passionate commitment to sharing her faith and serving her community. Originally from Puerto Rico, she moved to Chicago four years ago, and during the pandemic she began delivering sermons via podcast, reaching a global audience. According to her father, for he Raphael Berrios, the outpouring of support and condolences has come from around the world, including calls from Chile and Spain, via the Chicago Sun-Times.
Marvin Wells, 59, has been charged with first-degree murder, home invasion, armed robbery with a dangerous weapon, possessing a stolen vehicle, and possession of a controlled substance, as Christian Post reports. The charges come after he allegedly forced his way into Marisol's home, fatally attacked her, and later stole a car in her possession as well as her purse.
Understandably, the heartrending nature of this situation has left many struggling to make sense of this horrific act of violence, carried out by a man who, moments before the murder, was embraced by Marisol's warmth and generosity. Leatisha Bailey, a close friend of Marisol, tearfully recounted how her friend would provide both food and money to Wells, asking if this is what they get when they try to help others, as reported by Christian Post.
As family and friends grieve, they also aim to seek further justice for Marisol; her sister Patricia Berrios expressed the hope that the community will help put together a march to rally for a hefty sentence for Wells, so that others can remember Marisol "for the hero she is," found in an article by the Chicago Sun-Times.
