March 10, 2009

Murdered Aggies Remembered

In a matter of hours Friday, a brother and sister who seemed to have everything going for them, lost their lives. That's when 25-year-old John Thuesen told Police he killed his girlfriend, 21-year-old Rachel Joiner, and her 23-year-old brother Travis. Select Comments to find the entire story....

1 comment:

Group of Waller County Citizens said...

The suspect, John Thuesen, 25 years old is currently housed the the Brazos County Jail on the charge of murder.

Friends say this brother and sister were opposites. Travis was the easy-going guy who loved to have friends over and play video games. Rachel was his athletic little sister who loved a night on the town.


A track scholarship first took Rachel to Texas Christian University, but she later became an Aggie.

"She was definitely out and about all the time, had tons of friends, always doing something," said her friend Claytin Harlin.

Rachel lived with her brother, who would have graduated in May with a degree in Aerospace Engineering.

"He'd introduce himself as a rocket scientist every once in a while," said P.J. Clair. "As if Aerospace Engineering, didn't sound cool enough."

The Joiners leave behind a 15-year-old brother who friends say was especially close to Travis.

"Whenever our little brothers went to camp, they made sure Travis was there to pick him up because he just couldn't want to see Travis again," said Harlin.

"Evan really worshipped Travis, so I can't imagine what it's like for him," said Clair.

The Joiner's admitted shooter attended Bellville High School, and played in the band. He and Rachel were together over the New Year's holiday.

"No one saw this coming," said Harlin.

Friends didn't know Thuesen was arrested in Waller County in 2007, on a stalking charge. He was arrested for DWI in November of 2002 at the age of 19.

"If he was standing here, I would really want him to understand how much what he did affected people and how much he hurt more than just Rachel and their family," said Travis' friend, Krystal Lair.

"You see somebody a week- you haven't seen since Christmas time and you see 'em one weekend and you go man, this was great, lets not wait to do it again and then you can't," said Clair.

Despite what happened, Travis and Rachel's friends said they will continue to pray for both the Joiners and the Thuesens.

"I think that's what Rachel and Travis would want," said Harlin.

Funeral arrangements for the Joiners have been set for Tuesday, at 2p.m., at First United Methodist Church, in Eldorado.