LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — For Tim Rogers and his daughter Megan, the last four years have been about healing.
“It was unlike anything I ever experienced," said Megan Shertzer. "It was hard. It was sad, scary.”
“I remember sitting in my kitchen," added Tim Rogers. "I was standing by our counter and saw the headline come across the computer and let out an audible ‘NO’ and slammed my hand down on the counter and sat down in complete disbelief.”
They're recalling the day in 2020 they found out their brother-in-law and uncle, Justo Smoker, was arrested for the kidnapping and murder of Linda Stoltzfoos.
He abducted the 18-year-old Amish girl as she was walking home from church in Upper Leacock Township.
Smoker choked, strangled and stabbed Linda to death, then buried her body.
“The shock and surprise was profound," Rogers recalled. "The anger and grief, and truthfully the sense of shame and guilt by proxy.”
It was a string of horrific events that threw Lancaster County into the national spotlight and threw Smoker’s family into that whirlwind of emotions.
“As my daughter and I realized we were processing our grief in the same way, we realized we had some stories to tell," Rogers explained.
Those stories will now be shared with the rest of the world, in a self-published book Tim and Megan co-authored. It's called “Beechdale Road."
“Literally it’s where Linda lived, it’s where this event happened," Shertzer explained. "But figuratively, I think for us it’s an image of 'Can we turn Beechdale Road into not only the place this horrific event happened but also the place where we found redemption and mercy and grace from her family?'”
“Someone once said words are the tools we use to create reality," added Rogers. "I found that to be a really profound idea. The words we’ve put into this book and story we hope will reframe a reality around what happened with Linda.”
Justo’s relatives have formed an unlikely friendship with Linda’s family.
“We have their blessing to write [the book] which is really special for us," continued Megan. "We’ve gotten to know her family and close friends pretty well over the last four years.”
They have also received that same grace and forgiveness from other members of the Amish community.
“It was such a tragedy and such an evil that happened. That is true," said Tim. "At the same time, what we experienced is that the power of grace and mercy is equal to the task of being greater even in the worst things that we experience.”
The two hope their book can be a source of healing for others in the community and are keeping Linda in their hearts through the entire process.
“She helped in a one-room schoolhouse, she specifically helped students with special needs so we’re donating a portion of the proceeds of this book to Amish special education," said Shertzer.
“Redemption is always more powerful than tragedy," added Rogers.
“Beechdale Road” will be released on April 1. It will be available for purchase online and at select retailers. You can pre-order the book here.
You can watch our full interviews with Tim and Megan below.
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