Despite two grand jury investigations, no one has been charged in the killing. Much of his cash, however, went to Richard Gene McFadin, his lawyer. Why are you doing this? 0 cemeteries found in Saint Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA. McElroy was arrested and charged with arson, assault, and statutory rape. Those who witnessed the killing didnt speak of it again, not because they were part of a conspiracy, MacLean believes, but because theyre stoic by nature. Debbie Ann McElroy Try again later. McElroy, known as 'Kenrex' by his friends and his enemies, had an extensive arrest record. Need help writing a will or setting up a trust? Many wondered: Why didnt Baird press charges against the man Trena McElroy fingered as her husbands killer? There were plenty of eyewitnesses, as well as the It was a misunderstanding, but one that made the Bowenkamps lives a living hell for months. Try again later. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The older girl snatched the candy from the younger girl, threw it back in the jar, grabbed her little sisters hand and barged out the door. A couple of men hustled Trena to a nearby bank, away from the gunfire. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Trena had to go to hospital for the injuries she had suffered at the hands of McElroy. The Story Of Ken McElroy, The Vicious Bully Killed By His Town An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. This leaves three Clement boys.). Try again later. He told them he was coming to pick up his son, and if anyone tried to stop him, he would kill them. This is a carousel with slides. A system error has occurred. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Richard Stratton reflects on capturing notorious thug Ken Rex McElroy, 13 Things About Ken McElroy's Shooting You Need To Know Before Watching 'No One Saw A Thing', To the Killer of Her Least Favorite Son, Skidmore, Mo. Two people decided in the midst of that whole incident theyd had enough, MacLean said. Failed to delete memorial. The citizens of Skidmore Missouri apparently protecting the person or persons firing the shots. By the time the word came that Mr. McElroy was at the D & G Tavern, tempers were hotter. spur of the moment that got completely out of hand how do I know I was one of the people who witnessed the killing , or as some people say , murder all of us took an oath , the shooters & the other witnesss .it was surreal as to what happened he sat their [in his pickup truck] , just like in the movie calmly & looked in his mirror to see the crowd behind him , he knew I believed that it was the end for him & that he was about to die , no way in hell was that crowd letting him leave. Somebody was going to get killed. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. It is widely accepted that he fired one of the guns that shot McElroy. Copyright 2017 Wagner & Lynch | Replies analysing and speculating over the mystery and possible explanations are encouraged. 1, it is murder. Longstanding Grudges. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. System , , . To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. We had shoplifting, but a lot of people were on hard times. In the months before McElroy went to trial, the Bowenkamps and Sumy went to bed scared, woke up frightened and lived in terror with every breath. Please reset your password. Dozens of them gathered at Skidmores American Legion hall on the morning of July 10, 1981. On his release, McElroy strolled into the D&G Tavern, holding a rifle with a bayonet attached. At over six-feet tall and nearly 300 pounds he was a formidable presence by sight alone. Livestock owners looked the other way when a few head of cattle or hogs vanished in the night or gas barrels used to fuel farm implements were noticeably emptier. Ken McElroy in U.S. Social Security Death Index (SSDI) Ken Rex McElroy in FamilySearch Family Tree. True Crime and the Satisfaction of the Unsolved Mystery She was taken to a foster home in Maryville with the couples baby. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. In fact, anywhere between thirty and ninety people witnessed the shooting of the 270lb brute of a man on that hot July day in 1981. just happened . The clerk, Evelyn Sumy, was at the back of the store when the doors swung open. Thanks for your help! The FBI entered the case stiff-arming and threatening people, is how Monte, the Bowenkamps daughter, relates it. The murder of Ken Rex McElroy took place in plain view of dozens of residents in Skidmore, Mo., and will most likely never be solved. Ken Rexs cruelty was well known because he was so brazen about showing it. When a wife a Ken Rex McElroy came into town with a black eye, or busted lip, or broken bones of all varieties, the townspeople were not likely to guess or wonder at what malevolence may have befallen the lady. They became disenchanted with the legal processes, yet frightened by Mr. McElroy's volatile disposition. Alices stepfather, in so many words, told McElroy to shove it. We have set your language to McElroy was acquitted, thanks to his talented attorney. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Injured at work? By this point in his life Ken Rex had become a master of escaping punishment. Says a Long, Silent Thank-You, Unsolved 'Vigilante' Murder in the Heartland: Missouri Town Goes Quiet After Bully Is Shot, The Unsolved Murder of Missouri Town Bully Ken Rex McElroy: 'No One Saw a Thing', Skidmore, Part Three - The Murder of Ken Rex McElroy, The Unsolved Murder of Missouri Town Bully Ken Rex McElroy: 'No One Saw a Thing'. . That was the last straw, MacLean said. When he got off on a trial, it grew even bigger. SKIDMORE, MO Four decades after Ken Rex McElroy was gunned down on the main drag of Skidmore, Missouri, in one of Americas most infamous cold cases, the story of the notoriously brutal town bully has refused to die with him no matter how much the farmers and blue-collar workers who live in the small farming town wish it would. How could it? There may never be an answer to the question of who killed Ken Rex McElroy. Its called the Outcast Cafe, and is big and clean and cheap. Neither Baird nor MacLean, whose crime novel has been praised as an accurate account of McElroys killing, buy that. He was a womanizer, too. The truck engine burned up in the half-hour he was left slumped in the cab, his foot lodged on the accelerator. Bully's Death Unsolved Five Years Later Despite Dozens of They knew this because they had all either witnessed or been the victim of a similar intentional violent act, and it was always at the hands of Ken Rex McElroy. Ken was eventually convicted for shooting a local general store owner for accusing his daughters of shoplifting. Unresolved: The Town That Killed Ken McElroy Yes, its against the law, but you know, the law is not the final definitive word on him. Yes, that would make him Ken McElroys grandson. Ken was my grandfather derome was my father Im deromes oldest my mother is trace I wish I could of meet my grandfather An understandable wish. Im sure youve heard many good and bad things about him. Tony , I am your aunt Tina your dad is my brother . I havent seen you since you was about 2. The more McElroy got away with, the more it seemed as though he was exempt from the law. . They just went stone silent. Ken Rex McElroy (1934 - 1981) - Genealogy He got divorced and his drinking finally killed him. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. One account even said that McElroy rode into town on a horse and was shot and killed, Baird, the former prosecutor, said. How could it? Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Despite his conviction, he was still the arrogant goon he had always been. But right now, we don't have the evidence. Before you tell yourself the case closed, no, this case Every school has a bully or bullies, and every small town has that family or families. Weve updated the security on the site. On his tombstone are the words: brave, fearless and compassionate. The next morning, people gathered once again, this time at the American Legion hall located across the street from the D&G Tavern. (Editors Note: Patch Deputy National Editor Beth Dalbey grew up on a farm about 10 miles from Skidmore, Missouri.). Cite This Collection "British Newspaper Archives, Obituaries." While parked in front of the D & G Tavern on Main Street, in broad daylight, with a crowd estimated at 45 people around his pickup truck, Ken McElroy was shot in the head with a high powered rifle, while his wife sat in the seat beside him. Of course, McElroy had a gun. Dunbar talked to him, and [McElroy] pulled a gun on him, Monte said. The law wasnt going to help the people of Skidmore. In the summer of 1981, a jury handed McElroy his first-ever felony conviction for the lesser charge of second-degree assault. Trena McCloud went on to become Ken McElroys third wife ( lifedaily.com ). Needless to say, McElroy was having none of this. He went to Trenas parents home, where he viciously beat Trena and Alice, then burned the McCloud house to the ground. In order to stop him from doing so, McElroy carried on with his usual scare tactics he told him he would kill his entire family if he testified, followed him and sat outside his house for hours. Made A Vigilante Pact To Kill Ken Rex McElroy McElroy knew that how to hedge his bets and he did just that when he hired Richard McFadin, a well-known and regarded criminal defense attorney from the Kansas City area. He had steel blue eyes that would bore a hole right through you. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. FBI Closes Inquiry Into the Killing of a Town Bully He stood silently at the back of the store, but his wife tore into Sumy in an argument laced with four-letter bombs, Monte said. They thought about his wife and his children, and where it left them particularly the children.. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? For more information or to visit the website go to www.holmanhowe.com. Drag images here or select from your computer for Debbie Ann McElroy memorial. His lawyer managed to delay the process for so long, however, that Trena, who was still a child and very nave, got bored of foster care and ran away. Ken Rex McElroy was not a nice man. The D & G Tavern, most recently the Skidmore Tavern, in front of which Ken was sitting in his Silverado when the bullets tore through the window glass and shattered his skull, was also closed. Calling the sheriff about his threats was risk few were willing to take not that it would have done much good, Goslee said. SKIDMORE, MO Four decades after Ken Rex McElroy was gunned down on the main drag of Skidmore, Missouri, in one of America's most infamous cold cases, the story of the notoriously brutal town bully has refused to die with him no matter how much the farmers and blue-collar workers who live in the small farming town wish it would. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Kenneth Rex McElroy in MyHeritage family trees Try again later. He stalked the house where she was, brandishing his shotgun, and boring holes into the residents of the home with his steely eyes. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Anywhere from 30 to 90 people watched the 47-year-old McElroy die in an act that ended his decade-long reign of terror over the people of Skidmore. McElroy had been indicted a total of 21 times for crimes such as: child molestation, arson, cattle rustling, and stealing. They include the 1981 vigilante murder of town bully Ken Rex McElroy, whose killing by multiple gunmen was witnessed by dozens of residents, yet no one was Trena was admitted into foster care with her son. As the author of In Broad Daylight, I draw plenty of attention whenever Im in Skidmore, or Maryville, or anywhere in Nodaway County. U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-Current, U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current, U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2, Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Known as "the town bully", his unsolved killing became the focus of A trucker had warned that I had better not write about Clement at all anymore, and another had said my facts were wrongthat Del was a wonderful human beingand that I should in fact just forget about the whole thing, since everyone else had. When the shooting ended, McElroy was slumped over the steering wheel. Trena moved away from Skidmore, remarried and had more children. It wasnt the kind of murder which goes unsolved for decades and eventually someone comes forward with the tip that breaks the case open. McFadin was creating delay after delay in order to prevent the case from going to trial, and time was all that Ken Rex needed in order to avoid facing a jury. Search above to list available cemeteries. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Kenneth Rex McElroy "Bully" Murder - Getty Images At least some of the witnesses surely knew who fired the bullet that shattered the back window of McElroys truck and blew off the back of his head. Anyone heard any new info from people who were there? Ken Rex McElroy (June 1, 1934 July 10, 1981) was an American criminal and convicted attempted murderer who resided in Skidmore, Missouri, United States. Several patrons witnessed McElroys display at the tavern and called the prosecutor, who revoked McElroys bail. Thanks for your help! All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. By 14 years old Trena was pregnant with their first child. Someone had to put an end to it. Everyone was keeping an eye on us. Over the course of his life Ken Rex would be married three times and father ten children. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Adoption, paternity, divorce, or guardianship? Last summer he was killed in a barrage of gunfire after climbing into his air-conditioned Silverado pickup truck, with his wife Trena and a six-pack of beer at his side. That they had guns at the ready wasnt unusual. . Before I left on my trip to Skidmore, I wondered on this blog if I would encounter any difficulty with local residents who had recently expressed concern, to put it lightly, over my characterization of shooter Del Clement as a short, hot-tempered drunk. The children had little parental supervision, and for the most part ran free around town. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. With the businesses gone, the Punkin Festival defunct, it has little vibrancy. 'A Really Nice Truck', ''It's really a shame about the Silverado,'' said Dave Dunbar, a former marshal who said Mr. McElroy once threatened him with a highpowered rifle. CASE #8: THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF KEN REX MCELROY , . When word spread that McElroy was in town, a couple of the men walked from the Legion hall to the D&G. Trena McCloud's Civil Suit Against Skidmore, Missouri Revealed He was the 15th child of 16 born to Tony and Mabel McElroy. 2. Our law enforcement never went after him very hard, he said. ERP Im having trouble downloading the pictures, but should have them up soon. Ken Rex fell quickly in lust with Trena. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. So is Stratton. Eventually, after an altercation at a bar during which McElroy threatened him with a shotgun, Alices stepfather dropped the assault charges. McElroy was in town and behaving belligerently. Actually, I think those shooters saved lives in the end, she said. When either woman did raise his cheating as an issue, he simply beat them and tortured them as a reminder that they were not entitled to issues or the bringing of them up. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. I went to his gravesite a few years after he died , & took a piss on his grave, thats how much I thought of him", https://www.harrymaclean.com/blog/no-death-bed-confession/. They talked about the bail bond that allowed Mr. McElroy to circulate freely after an assault conviction for shooting an elderly grocer, Ernest Bowenkamp. He showed back up in front of their house that night, and he and Trena sat there and watched them, Monte said. A lot of them didnt even tell their wives and children. How to Use This Collection. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. McElroy moved out of his family home to be with Alice, but this relationship was no different from his previous ones. Not a one of 'em felt sorry for him. I was in town to spend time with the Goslee family, who had put me up and supported my research for many years, and had received considerable grief for doing it, and to attend a barbecue put on my Dave Dunbar in Lamoni, Iowa. Kenneth McElroy Obituary Family members linked to this person will appear here. Brace yourselves. The Unsurprisingly, Skidmore residents were upset by the police presence in town. The death of the 47-year-old McElroy, who was known as a thief with a violent temper, drew attention for its resemblance to Wild West, vigilante- style justice. 6. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Add to your scrapbook. I was a witness , not a shooter we all talked & took a vow of silence , NO MATTER WHAT to our death bed. Ken Rex McElroy (1934 - 1982) - Genealogy She let it be known that she had gone ''somewhere in Missouri'' because someone might try to kill her. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Trena Louise McNeeley McElroy Williams (1957-2012) - Find a . Romaine Henry was a Skidmore resident and farmer. There is a problem with your email/password. Each time anyone brought charges against him (which happened a total of twenty-one times), he would intimidate his accusers into dropping the charges, leaving them terrified and fearing for their lives. The sheriff said, If you have to shoot him, let us know and well come get him before he starts stinking, Monte said. We stood up and did the right thing. Recent leaks into killing of town bully Ken Rex McElroy - Reddit WebJune 16th, 1934: Ken Rex McElroy is born to Mabel and Tony McElroy, the thirteenth out of fourteen children. You know what he was like. McElroy started his pickup and the sound of shots pierced the silence. The Story of the trials, life and death of Ken Rex McElroy and the Town of Skidmore, Missouri. WebGenealogy for Ken Rex McElroy (1934 - 1982) family tree on Geni, with over 230 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. The older daughter paid for her items, but as they were leaving, the younger daughter grabbed some candy out of a jar and headed for the door. It has a bar, and music on the weekend. The law had plenty of chances, plenty of times to lock him up., Added Monte: Justice failed everybody. Verify and try again. 20 Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. His first wife, Sharon, was fifteen when they met, while McElroy was at least twenty. The Tavern, a quonset hut set on a cement floor, stunk irredeemably of grease from all the burgers fried up in there over the years. McWilliams Media Tulsa, OK Website Design. His favored methods of intimidation included approaching people, hissing threats at them and shoving his shotgun in their faces. Life revolves around work, but that is a value that townspeople say Mr. McElroy discarded early in life. Debbie was born in the Skidmore area and attended school there. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. In Part II we will learn more about the incident that would make Skidmore Missouri and Ken Rex McElroy a national news story and a mystery that stills haunts the town nearly forty years later. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. McFadin was a highly skilled attorney who got McElroy off the hook time and time again. based on information from your browser. As the story has been told by MacLean and others, McElroy showed up at the D&G tavern and pool hall the next day toting a rifle with a bayonet a violation of his bond and threatened to finish off the Bowenkamps. 4. Often, witnesses changed their mind about testifying before trials began, MacLean said, and if a case did make it to trial, a juror might open the mailbox to find a rattlesnake. I said it in 1981, and Ill say it now, Baird told Patch. Then one day, McElroy drove to the corner store, found Bo Bowenkamp around the back, and shot him in the neck. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. On of his hands came to him one afternoon and reported that someone was on the property shooting a firearm. Maryville, Missouri, lawyer David Baird, the Nodaway County prosecutor at the time, said the crime is fairly unremarkable in the context of current-day gang shootings witnessed by many, but seen by few willing to risk their safety by ratting out the crew. Database with images. I have another story to tell: my drinks with one of McElroys sons, who had been adopted and didnt realize who his father was until he was grown and had graduated from college. Many speculate that this traumatic injury was a cause of his volatility and aggression later in life. Few residents seem to care. People Projects Discussions Surnames Learn more about merges. The Craziest Cold Case in History The Murder of Ken Rex Sorry! As well as the piece on McElroys son. The mainstreet is eerily quiet in mid-morning. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Browse All 237,537 Images. A federal grand jury was convened. However, he had gotten away with all of them. He was literally untouchable right up until the day he wasnt. Since the killing, the town has been besieged with reporters and investigators. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Skidmore Forever the Town that Killed Ken Rex McElroy. Born in Overland Park, Kansas, on June 1, 1934, McElroy was the fifteenth of Tony and Mabel McElroys sixteen children. There was a kind of silent charity on the part of my parents, and they never prosecuted. The justice system had failed them once again. Trena McCloud first caught Ken Rex McElroys eye when she was twelve years old. Again, there were no indictments, and the McElroy murder case was tossed back to Baird. When the meeting ended, the group made their way across the street to the tavern to confront McElroy. ''And I wouldn't tell you if I did.'' There is no denying that McElroy was a skilled criminal; his long career of breaking the law resulted in pockets permanently stuffed with $100 bills. When he found where Trena was staying he began relying on his old tactics of intimidation. People Projects Discussions Surnames Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? However, the outcome of the conviction was a slap in the face for Bo and Lois Bowenkamp.
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