Mr. McElroy has been dead for almost three decades now, a round number that has residents here bracing for the next round of visits by reporters. As a result, he was arrested, but quickly released. July 8th, 1980: The Bowenkamps filed a legal proceeding against Ken McElroy after the incident in their store. McElroy was found not guilty. Was justice served? Even with these raw wounds, the memory of the nightmare surrounding Mr. McElroy during his years of troublemaking and after a killing that many here feel was forced by an impotent criminal-justice system continues to loom large. One reason was McElroys lawyer Richard Gene McFadin, a skilled defense attorney who ran rings around inexperienced prosecutors. But even after a federal prosecutor forwarded to Mr. Baird what he called substantial new evidence, no one was indicted. Weighing in at approximately 270 pounds with bushy black sideburns, McElroy held the entire . Trena jumped from the truck and a man helped her to safety. He showed back up in front of their house that night, and he and Trena sat there and watched them, Monte said. He was known as "the town bully", [1] and his unsolved killing became the focus of international attention. It wasn't the kind of murder which goes unsolved for decades and eventually someone comes forward with the tip that breaks the case open. 1955 or 56: Ken and Oleta McElroy move back to Missouri after Ken's accident in Colorado. Del Clement, the man Trena named as McElroys killer, died of cirrhosis of the liver in 2009. He went back home and was shot within a couple of days, explains Conger, editor of the Bethany Republican-Clipper. 1. 1952: Ken McElroy marries his first wife Oleta. He was accused or suspected of dozens of crimes, including theft, livestock rustling, burglary, arson, assault, rape, and child molestation. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Local police, state investigators and FBI agents tried to break the towns silence, without success. A bond hearing was ordered. This is far from what happened in the case of McElroy. It was a commemoration of sorts: thirty years ago to the day after Ken Rex McElroy had been shot to death as he sat in his truck on the main street of . US residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data. They sacrificed one for the betterment of hundreds. His father was a tenant farmer, his mother a housewife swamped with feeding and caring for the sprawling family. In 2019, the McElroy killing was the subject of a docuseries on SundanceTV. His lifelong career as a criminal started with petty offenses, but he increasingly became more violent, amassing a rap sheet that included nearly two dozen felony charges for assault, child molestation, statutory rape, arson, burglary, grain theft, and hog and cattle rustling enterprises that kept a thick roll of hundred-dollar bills in his pocket. No one has been charged in connection with McElroys death. The murder of Ken Rex McElroy isn't 'unsolved' in the typical sense of the word. The killing was a shocking end for a notoriously brutal man who had terrorized the area for years with seeming impunity from the law until he was struck down in a moment of vigilante justice. Filmmaker Avi Belkin's 'No One Saw a Thing . A federal grand jury was convened. [6], Based on Trena's story, McElroy was indicted in June 1973 for arson, assault, and statutory rape. Farmers carried them to kill varmints, or for hunting displaying them in plain sight in rear window gun racks. What could legally be done about McElroy, they asked Sheriff Danny Estes, who had been elected months earlier. We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. Once freed, McElroy didnt just quietly celebrate his victory. The murder occurred in broad daylight, with as many as sixty eye-witnesses present, including the wife of the deceased. I am a History Educator and a Lifelong Learner with a Masters in Global History. Everyone just went home. Boyer was among the first responders to arrive outside the D&G tavern where McElroy was ambushed. [5] She became pregnant when she was fourteen, dropped out of school in the ninth grade, and went to live with McElroy and his second wife Alice. McElroy was convicted of assault but let out of jail awaiting appeal. We went to the courts. 1952: Ken McElroy marries his first wife Oleta. McFadin, McElroys lawyer, got the hearing postponed. No one bothered to turn it off. On July 8, 1980, McElroy drove to the alley behind the Bowenkamp general store. Evelyn lived cross the street, and he made sure she could see them. When you didnt know where he was, you didnt dare take the chance of not being on your guard.. By the time McElroy was shot dead under the glare of the morning sun on July 10, 1981, everybody feared his hair-trigger temper and brooding presence. The people of Skidmore were becoming more and more frustrated with the failures to protect them in the justice system. A lot of people were not happy about what happened, MacLean said. Lessons from History is a platform for writers who share ideas and inspirational stories from world history. Bullet casings from two guns were found. Like so many other small towns, Skidmore has shrunk inside itself, watching businesses close and residents depart. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with Bring Me! Everyone involved continues to keep the secret and gives no answers. In the summer of 1981, a jury handed McElroy his first-ever felony conviction for the lesser charge of second-degree assault. In 1981, McElroy was convicted of shooting . Meanwhile, McElroy and his wife arrived at the D&G Tavern for a morning drink. Tell us what you think in the comments below. He left town just as Ken and Trena McElroy were driving in, likely passing McElroys Chevrolet Silverado pickup in his cruiser on the road. My experience is that trying a case is not always good at bringing closure, Mr. Baird said. Nodaway County Sheriff Dan Estes suggested they form a neighborhood watch. McElory was struck by two different firearms and died behind the wheel of his truck. But the silence of the townspeople held. I have no doubt hed have tried to kill my mom. Known as 'the town bully', his unsolved killing became the focus of international attention. The witnesses all claimed they had seen nothing. McElroy mounted a daily vigil outside Bowenkamps house, his daughter Cheryl Brown recounts in In Broad Daylight: The town emptied out every time he came to town. A deer slug in one chamber tore through Bowenkamps neck, coming within 3 inches of his head. Yet in a conspiracy of silence that has spanned the past 38 years, the townsfolk have held the secret close. The sheriff said, If you have to shoot him, let us know and well come get him before he starts stinking, Monte said. None of the witnesses called an ambulance or gave information about a shooter. July 1981: During the 1st week of July it was announced that there would be a delay in McElroy's bond hearing. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8iUdp33PqTsix2sGblEQZ8m5FQycC5D Vigilante justice, or. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. He never finished high school but knew how to hunt, drive fast and navigate the back roads of Nodaway County by his early teens. The grocer lived and McElroy was again arrested and charged with attempted murder. The murder of Ken Rex McElroy took place in plain view of dozens of residents of this small farm town, under the glare of the morning sun. The couple then moved to Colorado. Everyone was keeping an eye on us. After dropping out of school in the eighth grade, it didnt take long for Ken McElroy to fall into a life of delinquency. He made no deathbed confession, but someone wrote in a memorial tribute that he . Ive never thought there was a series of phone calls that went around dont say this or that. Those farmers have known each other since they were children. He was sure it was Mr. McElroy who had done the shooting. Just to be aware, he explained. 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. What gave rise to that theory is that they were in the Legion hall for a meeting, then went down to the D&G [when they heard McElroy was in town]. Ken stalks the family afterwards, and on the 8th, Ken shoots Bo Bowenkamp. He was punctual, always said he didnt do it, paid in cash and kept coming back.. He knew which people to pick on the weak people and he followed through on his threats just often enough to make people believe he was going to do what he said he was going to do. Anticipating McElroys typical moves, Stratton waited on a back road near the Kansas border. Anyone can read what you share. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . Bottles, glasses for restaurants and barsincomible/Getty ImagesFull of Audienceuschools/Getty ImagesAn American police officer posing arms folded beside cop carDarrenMower/Getty ImagesCar Wash Truck SprayA-Digit/Getty ImagesCity People Setedge69/Getty ImagesSilhouette of people in action4x6/Getty ImagesCaucasian farmer standing in irrigated fieldHill Street Studios/Getty ImagesYoung woman on the streetSensorSpot/Getty ImagesShot Truck Driverwwing/Getty ImagesOlder Caucasian man standing with hands in pocketsSam Diephuis/Getty ImagesOutlines of rebellionsshironosov/Getty Imagesmain street remote rural prairie towndlerick/Getty ImagesBlank magazine on wooden backgroundgrinvalds/Getty ImagesEmpty Country Road In UsaDan Thornberg / EyeEm/Getty ImagesCaucasian farmer wearing gloves leaning on wooden fenceSteve Smith/Getty ImagesJudge holding gavel in courtroomChris Ryan/Getty ImagesAuthentic Cowboy Rancher Portraitavid_creative/Getty ImagesSilhouettes of three cowboys on a white backgroundheartbar/Getty ImagesCaucasian security officers posing with flashlightKirk Marsh/Getty ImagesPrivate investigator reports what he seestzahiV/Getty ImagesThis farm is my pride and joypixdeluxe/Getty Imagesdark portrait of a man in a hoodserikbaib/Getty ImagesWhite colored house with blue doorMableen/Getty ImagesYoung couple havi EXTERNAL CREDITSGrant Henderson - Editor+Rick Weller- GFX Artist Richard Stratton was ready. A lot of them didnt even tell their wives and children. Former Nodaway County prosecutor David Baird, Its proceedings are secret, but in news interviews at the time, McElroys widow said she told a county grand jury who murdered her husband. Ken Rex McElroy (June 1, 1934 - July 10, 1981) was a resident of Skidmore, Nodaway County, Missouri. In July 1976, McElroy pulled a shotgun on farmer Romaine Henry and shot the man in the stomach. More awful crimes have taken place in the small town. He spent the night in jail before posting bond, then sauntered menacingly back into the D&G tavern and pool hall and took his usual spot. The DA declined to press charges and the following investigation proved to be futile. Calling the sheriff about his threats was risk few were willing to take not that it would have done much good, Goslee said. On July 10, 1981, Ken Rex McElroy was killed in one of the strangest instances investigators ever saw. 1960: Ken moves his young girlfriendSally into his house with Sharon. We stood up and did the right thing. McElroy denied he was at the scene. That they had guns at the ready wasnt unusual. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. The murder took place on July 10, 1981, the day after McElroy had threatened Bowenkamp at the tavern. The clerk, Evelyn Sumy, was at the back of the store when the doors swung open. As he packed up his office last week, he gave his successor a memo that listed a dozen or so unsolved cases in Nodaway County including, down toward the end, the killing of Mr. McElroy. It's hard to believe that this small town was once a bustlingcommunity. It was Richard McFadin, the man who kept Ken McElroy out of jail 21 times, who said it best: The town got away with murder.. Everyone in town seemed to know McElroy had done it, yet he spent only a single night in jail for nearly killing the man. Didnt see a thing. Thats the response investigators repeatedly received when they questioned people over the death of Ken McElroy. [11] Only Trena claimed to identify a gunman; every other witness either was unable to name an assailant or claimed not to have seen who fired the fatal shots. 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McElroy was spinning so hard out of control, I have no doubt he would have tried to kill my dad again, given the chance. The case inspired a book, In Broad Daylight by Harry McLean, and a 1991 TV movie of the same name starring Brian Dennehy. McElroy allegedly stole livestock, grain, gasoline, and antiques. Despite the efforts of police, prosecutors and McElroys family, no one has been charged in the murder. Ken Rex McElroy was born on month day 1934, at birth place, Missouri, to Anthony Wyatt McElroy and Mable Marie McElroy (born Lister). Hed leave, then hed come back, Monte said. Title Directed by Original air date U.S. viewers (millions) 1 "The Killing of Ken Rex McElroy" Avi Belkin: August 1, 2019 (): N/A: Known as the town bully, Ken Rex McElroy terrorized tiny Skidmore, Missouri, for decades.On July 10, 1981, the town had had enough and 60 people surrounded his pick-up truck and shot him dead on Main Street--but no one claimed to have seen a thing. The towns local bar in Skidmore, Missouri. A writer and storyteller out in the world to write about True-Crime and History. Some attributed his bizarre and violent behavior to a head injury suffered in this event. [8] At the trial, two raccoon hunters testified they were with McElroy the day of the shooting away from Henry's property. If they thought it was getting too out of hand, they would send one of us up and down the aisle. Murder is still murder. As many as 60 people were reported to have been at the scene, but not one of them would say who had wielded the weapons. Ken McElroy was born in 1934, one of 16 children, author Harry MacLean explains in his book In Broad Daylight, an account of the case. It was hours before he learned that it was Mr. McElroy who had been shot, sitting in the front seat of his pickup truck alongside his wife, after picking up some beer at the town bar. However, in 1981, Trena told People magazine that the fire was a result of "faulty wiring.". One night after he pulled a speeding pickup truck over, Boyer came face to face with McElroy. Ken Rex McElroy was an American known as "the town bully" of Skidmore, Missouri. At some point in his life, McElroy was believed to have been seriously injured on a construction site, causing him to suffer from chronic pain. She died in 2012. April 25th, 1980: A few of Ken's children go to the local grocery store and is accused of stealing by Mrs. Bowenkamp. June 12th, 1973: After continuing his involvement with Trena McCloud, Ken McElroy burns down Trena's parents' house. Ken Rex McElroy Jr. - Biography - IMDb Edit Ken Rex McElroy Jr. Consisting of around 440 residents and a number of small family-run businesses, the farming town revolved around work ethic. You just didnt do that.. Ken was 18 and Oleta was 16. He then returned to Trena's parents' home when they were away and, once again, shot the family dog and burned the house down. YouTubeThe towns local bar in Skidmore, Missouri. The Vigilantemurder of Ken Rex McElroy still remains a mystery today. You dont have a town full of people who were hiding a guilty conscience, he said. McElroy was eventually convicted, but the charge was lessened from "attempt to kill" to "knowingly caused serious physical injury" to ensure a conviction. CHAPTER ONE. Mable was born on February 28 1897, in Dover, Shawnee County, KS, USA. McElroys wife named one person as a possible gunman, but no one couldor wouldidentify who fired the shots. Once, he even got out and fired a shotgun up in the pine tree by their house. There has been books written, movies, documentaries and more made about the killing. Of the most serious, McElroy was accused of child molestation and statutory rape. [3] McElroy was acquitted. The sheriff suggested they form a neighborhood watch and advised the group not to confront the man. There were plenty of eyewitnesses, as well as the attack happened in broad. 1 or 2 men (unclear) took guns and shot Ken Rex McElroy dead in his truck. [14] Trena remarried and moved to Lebanon, Missouri, where she died of cancer on her 55th birthday on January 24, 2012.[15]. He told the foster family that he would trade "girl for girl" to get his child back, since he knew where the foster family's biological daughter went to school and what bus route she rode. This six-episode true-crime docuseries comes from Sundance TV and premiered last August. I said it in 1981, and Ill say it now, Baird told Patch. No one called for an ambulance. One account even said that McElroy rode into town on a horse and was shot and killed, Baird, the former prosecutor, said. His unsolved killing became the focus of international attention. Vigilante justice is certainly a slippery slope, but after years of dealing with Ken McElroy, the people of Skidmore reached their boiling point. When the shooting ended, McElroy was slumped over the steering wheel. The story of Ken Rex McElroy began on June 1, 1934. For example, one of the owners of the D&G tavern would send her young children to the grocery store for paper towels, keeping the children innocently unaware they were telegraphing an urgent message for the Bowenkamps to call the police. In all, McElroy was indicted 21 times and managed to escape conviction every time. Trena McElroy fingered a local rancher as one of the gunmen, but he denied the claim. June 16th, 1934: Ken Rex McElroy is born to Mabel and Tony McElroy, the thirteenth out of fourteen children. McElroys wife was not injured and escaped the vehicle. Again, there were no indictments, and the McElroy murder case was tossed back to Baird. Posted on July 14, 2011 by Harry. He was as mean as he looked, but there was more to his baleful demeanor, said Colorado lawyer and author Harry MacLean, who lived with a prominent Skidmore farm family off and on for about five years while he researched In Broad Daylight, a New York Times bestseller chronicling McElroys life and death. Witnessing the murder were McElroys wife, Trena, screaming in the passenger seat and dozens of local residents. Over the course of his life, McElroy was accused of dozens of felonies, including assault, child molestation, statutory rape, arson, hog and cattle rustling, and burglary. It was a matter of self-preservation. When Daylight Saving Time 2023 Begins, Will It Be For The Last Time. Were the citizens justified in taking matters into their own hands? However, he was also charged with various crimes. Im never going to answer that question. It was so out of the blue, almost to the point of being surreal, said Monte, who occasionally worked in her parents store. After McElroy fired a gun outside her house, Evelyn Sumy appealed to Dave Dunbar, the town marshal. When the call went out, State Police Cpl. Both Sally and Sharon begin having Ken's children. He quit.. He was known as "the town bully",[1] and his unsolved killing became the focus of international attention. Additional charges were filed against McElroy.[7]. A reported crowd of up to 60 men had largely dispersed, but some onlookers remained, staring at the pickup. He was indicted as many as 21 times, but escaped conviction all but once. Trena claimed to have seen someone pull a rifle from the back of the truck, take aim at McElroy, and fire shots that shattered the truck's windows. Three grand juries heard evidence. Sheriff Estes instructed the assembled group not to get into a direct confrontation with McElroy, but instead seriously consider forming a neighborhood watch program. Henry was forced to admit in court, under questioning by McElroy's attorney Richard Gene McFadin, that he had concealed his own petty criminal conviction from more than 30 years previous. Worse felonies included assault and arson. McElroy was in town and behaving belligerently. Self care and ideas to help you live a healthier, happier life. Investigators dug and dug, but Skidmore residents maintained their silence. The law had plenty of chances, plenty of times to lock him up., Added Monte: Justice failed everybody. It was also the first major case for a young county prosecutor, not far removed from law school and just months into the job, who said he was confident that the case would be solved soon. After the sheriff left town, the group walked from the hall and went down the street to the tavern. The person(s) responsible for firing the shots that killed McElroy remains unsolved. On the morning of July 10, 1981, townspeople met at the Legion Hall in the center of town with Sheriff Estes to discuss how to protect themselves. Over the course of his life, McElroy was accused of dozens of felonies, including assault, child molestation, statutory rape, arson, animal cruelty, hog and cattle rustling, and burglary. No. On the morning of July 10, 1981, several townspeople met with the Nodaway County sheriff at a local hall to discuss what could be done about McElroy. McElroy four years earlier had pumped a couple of rounds of buckshot into the stomach of local farmer Romaine Henry as he tried to run the blackguard off his land. There just wouldnt have been a story.. Over the next two years, three grand juries were empaneled and testimony taken. McElroy first began his relationship with McCloud when she was 14 and the two had a child shortly thereafter. You know how he oppressed and threatened us. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Ken had 13 siblings: Hershell Eugene McElroy, Orvil O McElroy and 11 . Ken Rex McElroy was a 6-foot, 270 pounds, dark-complexioned, blue-eyed man who lived in Skidmore, Missouri. The group heard McElroy and Trena McCloud were spotted heading to the tavern nearby.