Southern Baptist pastor & wife stabbed & robbed at home while sleeping
RICHMOND, Va. (Christian Examiner) -- A 21-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly robbing and stabbing Southern Baptist pastor Hugh Mayes and his wife Carol while they slept in their home the morning of June 15.
The couple survived the attack after being airlifted to a hospital for treatment. Carol has been released but Hugh is still hospitalized and has "a long way to go" according to Shiloh Baptist Church in Carson, Virginia where he pastors.
According to Richmond CBS affiliate WTVR, Max Chisholm is accused of breaking into the Mayes' home the morning of June 15 and stabbing the couple multiple times. He was arrested following a two-day manhunt.
Chisholm family members describe Max, who was born in Russia to heroin addicts but adopted and brought to the United States at the age of 7, as a "narcicisstic sociopath" who used people. Relatives also claim a psychiatrist called Chisholm one of the biggest liars he had ever seen.
Members of Mayes' church had a different take at first. "Everyone fell in love with Max and they did everything for him," church member Janet Brockwell told WTVR.
That included Hugh and Carol who allowed Chisholm to live in their home and treated him like a grandson. "They loved him so much, they called him their grandson," church member Stacey Jernigan told the Richmond Times Dispatch. According to Jernigan, the Mayes saw Chisholm walking near their home appearing penniless and ragged. The couple provided shelter, found him a job, put him up at a motel, and bought him a car, she said.
Brockwell said things changed after Chisholm got a car and a job—and Mayes asked him to move out of their home approximately one month before the stabbings.
On Sunday, June 14, hours before the attack, Pastor Hugh asked his congregation to pray for Chisholm because he had become troubled and had attempted suicide in a Richmond park, Jernigan said.
Chisholm, who became a naturalized citizen in 2001, is charged with two counts of attempted murder, breaking and entering, robbery and other charges. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
The Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia is providing care and financial assistance for the couple and receiving cards for them at SBC of Virginia, 4956 Dominion Blvd., Glen Allen, Virginia, 23060.
The Convention office is also requesting prayer for Hugh and Carol Mayes as well as for their alleged attacker.