The following statement was released on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, by Sam Penrod, a spokesperson for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
It is with much sadness that we inform you of the passing of Elder Paul Hardin on Monday, May 20, 2024, in a Fresno, California hospital. Elder Hardin had been hospitalized since Saturday evening after suffering critical injuries in an accident that claimed the life of his eternal companion, Sister Mary Hardin. Our deepest sympathies and condolences go to the Hardin family with the tragic loss of these faithful missionaries. We pray that all who are mourning will be blessed with strength and comforted in their faith in the Savior Jesus Christ.
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Sister Mary Hardin and her husband, Elder Paul Hardin.© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Previously, the following statement was released on Sunday, May 19, 2024:
A husband and wife serving as full-time missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were tragically involved in a traffic accident on Saturday evening, May 18, 2024, in Fresno County, California. Elder Paul Hardin and Sister Mary Hardin were stopped at a red light when a pickup truck struck their vehicle at a high rate of speed. Sister Hardin, 65, passed away at the scene of the accident. Elder Hardin is currently hospitalized with critical injuries.
Elder and Sister Hardin are from San Antonio, Texas, and have been serving together as missionaries in the California Fresno Mission since January 2024.
We invite all to offer prayers for those involved, especially Elder Hardin. We send our deepest condolences to the entire Hardin family, their friends, and the missionaries with whom they were serving. We pray they will each feel comfort and peace at this difficult time and experience an outpouring of the Savior’s love during this time of sorrow.