Lamenting the Tragic Loss of April Jace

Last Tuesday, May 20th, we received the news of April Jace, a financial aid counselor at Biola, who was shot and killed by her husband, Michael Jace, an actor from The Shield. It happened on Monday night, and their two young children, under the ages of 10, were in the house. The shock and devastation of this tragedy has left our community with heavy hearts. Seeing the news footage of this situation is a strange thing. You never expect something so tragic to happen to someone in your own community. Watching it on the news seems to give a strange distance to the situation, as if it is something that is happening “out there.” Yet, the reality hits that she was actually someone who I saw around campus, with her joyful spirit and jovial nature, and passing by her empty office confirms that she is no longer there. It’s no longer something that is distant or far-away, but it is something that has happened right in the midst of our community. On Tuesday morning, her friends and co-workers spent time remembering her – how she was so full of life and joy, dedicated to helping students, and on Tuesday afternoon, the Biola community came together and held a prayer meeting to grieve together and pray for her family and for one another.

It’s hard to make sense of this devastating situation – especially thinking about the two young children who have lost their mother, and have also now lost their father, as he will probably be in prison for a majority of their lifetime. In these times we wonder, “How could something like this happen? What caused him to do such a horrific act of violence? How will these kids cope with the loss of their parents, and the trauma that follows them? Where is God in all of this?”

While it is greatly reassuring that she was a strong believer, and we can have the assurance that she is now with the Lord, there is still a great loss to grieve and lament. And in times of lament, I turn to the Psalms to cry out to the Lord.