For more than two decades, McElroy was suspected of being involved in theft of grain, gasoline, alcohol, antiques, and livestock, but he avoided conviction when charges were brought against him 21 timesoften after witnesses refused to testify because he allegedly intimidated them, frequently by following his targets or parking outside their homes and watching them. In Broad Daylight: A Murder in Skidmore, Missouri. Skidmore townsfolk may not all have liked how he was killed it was murder, after all but when he died, most of the towns 435 residents let out a heavy sigh of relief. But in a dramatic act of . Few were criticized as mightily as Baird over the lack of prosecution in McElroys murder. Trena McElroy remarried and had a fairly normal life, refusing interviews after she left Skidmore. The local major-cases squad investigated, then the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 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. Everyone just went home. 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. He had a legendary status, and it all got to be bigger than he was. 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. She took her complaint to at-the-time Nodaway County Sheriff Roger Cronk. She eventually filed a wrongful death against the town, the county, and some citizens but the matter was settled out of court. He grew up hearing the story. [9] McElroy was convicted at trial of assault, but freed on bail pending his appeal. There wasn't much parental supervision, but McElroy had a knack for taking care of himself. He was accused or suspected of dozens of crimes, including theft, livestock rustling, burglary, arson, assault, rape, and child molestation. He then returned to Trena's parents' home when they were away and, once again, shot the family dog and burned the house down. 1954: While working for his sister's husband in construction, McElroy suffers a traumatic head injury that leaves him with lifelong pain. They thought about his wife and his children, and where it left them particularly the children.. In the ensuing confrontation, McElroy shot Bowenkamp in the neck; Bowenkamp survived, and McElroy was arrested and charged with attempted murder. 1969 or 1970: Ken McElroy becomes involved with a young girl named Trena McCloud. 1 or 2 men (unclear) took guns and shot Ken Rex McElroy dead in his truck. Two people decided in the midst of that whole incident theyd had enough, MacLean said. He dropped out of school at age 15 in the eighth grade and quickly established a local reputation as a cattle rustler, small-time thief, and womanizer. It failed McElroy, too, because it failed to protect him from himself. McElroy was known to have stolen grain, alcohol, gasoline, antiques, and even livestock. McElroy was a resident of Skidmore, Missouri. Ken Rex McElroy (June 1, 1934 - July 10, 1981) was a resident of Skidmore, Nodaway County, Missouri. 1948: Approximately the time when Ken begins his small thefts as a young teenager. SKIDMORE, Mo. They settle in Skidmore. The justice system just crashed and burned over this case.. He showed up to the towns local bar, armed with a rifle and bayonet, threatening to kill the elderly grocer. As his long tenure comes to an end questions about the lack of resolution in the murder case perhaps the most infamous in the area since Jesse James was shot nearby a century earlier continue to follow Mr. Baird. Nobody called an ambulance. It's said the county's law enforcement officials were afraid of encountering McElroy, who was known to be heavily armed. The police chief who oversaw the investigation, Hal Riddle, disagrees. There just wouldnt have been a story.. The group heard McElroy and Trena McCloud were spotted heading to the tavern nearby. The final straw for Skidmore was when he was let out on bond. However, an incident would occur in 1980 that changed everything. In court, Bowenkamp testified about how McElroy confronted him in the loading dock of the grocery while he was cutting up boxes and shot him in the neck. Ken Rex Melroy was born on June 1st, 1934 to a family of poor tenant farmers who moved to Skidmore. 7 Good News Stories: Sense Of Belonging; Secrets To 70-Year Marriage, EPA Limits On Toxic Forever Chemicals Could Cost Utilities Billions, The Poop On Free-Range Cats And Your Lawn And Garden [Block Talk], Boeing Worker Claims $754.6M Powerball Jackpot, Barrier-Breaking Black Army Officer Finally Awarded Medal Of Honor, FL Blogging Bill Says Political Writers Should Register With State. The murder took place on July 10, 1981, the day after McElroy had threatened Bowenkamp at the tavern. The couple then moved to Colorado. Luckily, Bowenkamp survived, and McElroy was charged with attempted murder. [10] No one called for an ambulance. The law had plenty of chances, plenty of times to lock him up., Added Monte: Justice failed everybody. Estes then drove out of town in his police cruiser. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The Vigilantemurder of Ken Rex McElroy still remains a mystery today. Reached by phone, Mr. McElroys wife, who has since remarried and left the state, said she was not interested in talking about the case. The McElroys eventually left the store, but when Bowenkamp closed up that night, he was outside, waiting. So what was left?. Immediately after being released at a post-trial hearing, McElroy went to the D&G Tavern, a local bar, with an M1 Garand rifle with a bayonet attached, and made graphic threats about what he would do to Bo Bowenkamp. He made no deathbed confession, but someone wrote in a memorial tribute that he . June 25th, 1981: Ken McElroy is sentenced to two years in jail. Something for everyone interested in hair, makeup, style, and body positivity. Then, on the night of July 8, 1980, McElroy shot 70-year-old Skidmore grocer Ernst Bo Bowenkamp, unwittingly setting up his own murder a year later. McElroy was convicted of assault but let out of jail awaiting appeal. This is far from what happened in the case of McElroy. Harry MacLean, author of "In Broad Daylight". (Editors Note: Patch Deputy National Editor Beth Dalbey grew up on a farm about 10 miles from Skidmore, Missouri.). He went about making public threats against the grocer while armed with a rifle. He was arrested, booked, arraigned, and released on $2,500 bail. It was so out of the blue, almost to the point of being surreal, said Monte, who occasionally worked in her parents store. [1][3] The next day, McElroy was shot to death in broad daylight as he sat with his wife Trena in his pickup truck on Skidmore's main street. No one has any idea what a nightmare we lived.. But Ken rarely had to wrestle with the McElroys rear window was shot out and the front window as well. CHAPTER ONE. Allegedly, even the mayor was in on it. On July 9, 1984, Trena McElroy filed a $5 million wrongful death lawsuit against the Town of Skidmore, County of Nodaway, Sheriff Danny Estes, Steve Peters (Mayor of Skidmore), and Del Clement (whom Trena accused of being the shooter, but who was never charged). One of these women was 24-year-old Trena McCloud, who was McElroy's partner. Instead, he continued to harass Bowenkamp. The death of Ken Rex McElroy is a perplexing case that has hung heavy over the town of Skidmore, Missouri for decades. Hed leave, then hed come back, Monte said. The case inspired a book, In Broad Daylight by Harry McLean, and a 1991 TV movie of the same name starring Brian Dennehy. US residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data. Ken McElroy issues threats against the Bowenkamp family. In 1980, after a misunderstanding about a candy purchase from a Skidmore grocery store involving McElroys daughters, McElroy shot popular owner Bo Bowenkamp in the neck. [2] He was struck by bullets from at least two different firearms, in front of a crowd of people estimated as numbering between 30 and 46. We might not see him for three or four days, and then wed see him every day for weeks, Monte said. Someone warned her, Youre about to meet Ken Rex McElroy, Monte said. McElroy began stalking the Bowenkamp family, and eventually threatened Bo Bowenkamp in the back of his store with a shotgun in hand. Someone shot at McElroy while he was sitting in his truck. He made no deathbed confession, but someone wrote in a memorial tribute that he was a good, brave man. McFadin, the lawyer who once told The New York Times the town got away with murder, is dead, too. Actually, I think those shooters saved lives in the end, she said. He didnt have a bank account, didnt have a Social Security number, he didnt read. Ken Rex McElroy (June 1, 1934 July 10, 1981) was an American criminal and convicted attempted murderer who resided in Skidmore, Missouri, United States. On April 25, 1980 at Ernest "Bo" Bowenkamp's general store, a clerk asked McElroy's 8-year-old daughter to return a piece of candy she had not paid for. But not that one. That was the last failure of criminal justice.. Once, a farmer who caught Ken red-handed stealing two horses filed charges but withdrew them after McElroy smashed him across the face with a rifle., Police also felt McElroys ire. The town has seen more than its share of tragedy. 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. Best client I ever had, McFadin said in an interview. In 2019, the McElroy killing was the subject of a docuseries on SundanceTV. McElroy was never a popular man. One of the people shot was a local farmer named Romaine Henry, who McElroy shot in the stomach for trying to chase him off of Henry's own land. As there were no witnesses, nobody was able to take the stand. June 12th, 1973: After continuing his involvement with Trena McCloud, Ken McElroy burns down Trena's parents' house. He found a macabre scene. Just to be aware, he explained. 2023 by Catlyn Brady, Jennifer Partridge, & Kara Severson. Evelyn tried to explain what had happened, that nobody had accused the children of stealing, and Trena said, Why would my effing daughter lie? . If we could have proved who done it, he would have prosecuted him, said Mr. Riddle, 72 and also retired, who describes the case as the most frustrating of his career. And Mr. Baird lost his first election, in the Democratic primary this year, by just 25 votes, a loss noted by The Kansas City Star because of his connection with the case. We had shoplifting, but a lot of people were on hard times. Mr. McElroy was quickly rearrested after he appeared in town with a rifle, but he was again released. According to a report, no one called an ambulance. He was known as the town bully , but they may be putting it mildly. Richard Stratton was ready. An extensive federal investigation did not lead to any charges. When the news that Ken and Trena went to the local bar that evening, everyone got up and made their way over. June 16th, 1934: Ken Rex McElroy is born to Mabel and Tony McElroy, the thirteenth out of fourteen children. BuzzFeed McElroy allegedly stole livestock, grain, gasoline,. Things reached a boiling point in 1980 when Ken McElroy got into a confrontation with the towns elderly grocer, Ernest Bo Bowenkamp. July 10th, 1981: The townspeople gather around Ken's truck once he and Trena exit the bar. McElroy first began his relationship with McCloud when she was 14 and the two had a child shortly thereafter. They had to look out for themselves. [8] At the trial, two raccoon hunters testified they were with McElroy the day of the shooting away from Henry's property. A&E, Rolling Stone, Playboy, 60 Minutes, and other media outlets covered the story in print or television. Ken was 18 and Oleta was 16. On July 10, 1981, Ken Rex McElroy was killed in one of the strangest instances investigators ever saw. 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. 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. They delivered messages in code. Full Worm Moon: Will Conditions Favor A Moonbow? You know what he was like. Alice and Ken eventually separate. His foot fell to the accelerator when he was shot, causing the engine to run at full bore. Local police, state investigators and FBI agents tried to break the towns silence, without success. On July 10th, 1981 Ken Rex McElroy was shot dead in the street in broad daylight infront of 60 witnesses. Its been over 30 years. Ken had 13 siblings: Hershell Eugene McElroy, Orvil O McElroy and 11 . A writer and storyteller out in the world to write about True-Crime and History. He went back home and was shot within a couple of days, explains Conger, editor of the Bethany Republican-Clipper. His attorney, Richard McFadin, said he routinely defended Ken McElroy in three or four felonies a year. As of 2019, many of the main players in McElroys story have died, including McFadin, Trena McElroy, Bowenkamp and the rancher accused of pulling the trigger, MacLean writes in his blog. Before you tell yourself the case closed, no, this case still remains unsolved. It's said that the meeting adjourned, and the crowd quietly descended upon the tavern, flanking McElroy's truck. 1964: Ken meets another girlfriend named Alice Wood. He was known as "the town bully", [1] and his unsolved killing became the focus of international attention. 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. 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. In August of 1980, McElroy made attempts to intimidate the Bowenkamp family and their supporters to prevent them from testifying. July 1981: During the 1st week of July it was announced that there would be a delay in McElroy's bond hearing. Still, the panel didnt return an indictment, giving rise to conspiracy theories about a law enforcement coverup, also a theme in No One Saw a Thing.. Ken is later charged and arrested. However, when the matter came to trial, McElroys attorney produced a pair of witnesses who testified they were hunting with McElroy that day and he was nowhere near the scene of the shooting. He had been terrorizing Skidmore for years and he kept getting away with it. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. The noted sites in the story are gone or boardedup. Known as 'the town bully', his unsolved killing became the focus of international attention. June 29th, 1981: McElroy enters a bar with an illegal firearm, due to him being out on bail. McElroy was accused of raping two young women, as young as 12 years old, both of whom he was said to have "married" to keep them from testifying against him. He would intimidate anyone who got in his way, usually by repeatedly harassing them or threatening them with a bullet. Ken Rex McElroy, whose still-unsolved murder outside of the local tavern inspired a book and movie both entitled "In Broad Daylight" was known to both of Scott's parents. 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. Farmers carried them to kill varmints, or for hunting displaying them in plain sight in rear window gun racks. This was something that the "town bully," Ken Rex McElroy, staunchly rebelled against. McElroy was charged with assault with intent to kill. Ken Rex McElroy (June 1, 1934 - July 10, 1981) was an American criminal and convicted attempted murderer who resided in Skidmore, Missouri, United States. 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. He was known as "the town bully",[1] and his unsolved killing became the focus of international attention. The Cold Case Murders That Keep Retired Detectives Up at Night, Citizen Detectives Uncover Crime Clues on Websleuths Online Forum. But in a dramatic act of solidarity with the gunman, every witness, save the dead mans wife, denied seeing who had pulled the trigger. Then, on a warm July night, McElroy shot my dad as he sat on the back loading dock of his store, waiting for an air conditioner repairman, Monte said. Of the most serious, McElroy was accused of child molestation and statutory rape. SKIDMORE, Mo. And its likely to stay that way. McElroy was in town and behaving belligerently. in the A&E App.]. You just didnt do that.. His successor, Robert Rice, already knew how Mr. McElroy died. The townspeople organized a caravan to escort the witnesses to the hearing both to protect them and to show solidarity. A museum dedicated to Skidmore, Mo., sits on Elm Street, the towns main drag. No. A deer slug in one chamber tore through Bowenkamps neck, coming within 3 inches of his head. 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. He was represented by defense attorney Richard Gene McFadin of Gallatin, Missouri. McElroy was also accused of abusing his first two wives, Sharon and Alice, but Alice defended him in an interview shortly after his death. Tucked away in the northwest corner of Missouri is a small, dusty town 46 miles north of St. Joseph with a decades-old secret. 1952: Ken McElroy marries his first wife Oleta. Boyer was out showing a trainee the ropes when he got the call of a shooting in Skidmore. We didnt have sufficient evidence to go to trial.. A girl from a poor, rural family, McElroy had begun having sex with her when she was barely fourteen. However, in 1981, Trena told People magazine that the fire was a result of "faulty wiring.". Still working within the justice system, witnesses who saw McElroy with the gun gave the information the county prosecutor needed to request a bond revocation hearing. She died in 2012. Despite three grand juries, no one has been indicted for the . A conviction should have been a victory for the people of Skidmore, but the jury set a maximum sentence of two years, and the judge, without protest from Mr. Baird, released Mr. McElroy on bond pending appeal. They just went stone silent. No one has ever been brought to trial in Mr. McElroys death, and, although there is no statute of limitations on murder, most people around here suspect that no one ever will be. According to court records, McElroy tracked them down and brought them back. When word spread that McElroy was in town, a couple of the men walked from the Legion hall to the D&G. 1, it is murder. You could talk to everybody in this case, and theyd give you a different answer, he said in an interview at his office in the red brick county courthouse in nearby Maryville. 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. Is dumpster diving legal in Missouri and Illinois? 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]. [3] McElroy was acquitted. The guns were never recovered. 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. Anthony was born on August 27 1890, in Shelton, Knox County, MO, USA. No one has been charged in connection with McElroys death. Somebody would hear his name, and the legend grew bigger. It was a misunderstanding, but one that made the Bowenkamps lives a living hell for months. Ken stalks the family afterwards, and on the 8th, Ken shoots Bo Bowenkamp. A couple of men hustled Trena to a nearby bank, away from the gunfire. The murder occurred in broad daylight, with as many as sixty eye-witnesses present, including the wife of the deceased. He left town just as Ken and Trena McElroy were driving in, likely passing McElroys Chevrolet Silverado pickup in his cruiser on the road. Didnt see a thing. Thats the response investigators repeatedly received when they questioned people over the death of Ken McElroy. He never finished high school but knew how to hunt, drive fast and navigate the back roads of Nodaway County by his early teens. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8iUdp33PqTsix2sGblEQZ8m5FQycC5D Vigilante justice, or. McElroy was hit twice and died. In all, McElroy was indicted 21 times and managed to escape conviction every time. What set off McElroy and put the local grocer in his crosshairs was the pettiest of offenses. They settle in Skidmore. Calling the sheriff about his threats was risk few were willing to take not that it would have done much good, Goslee said. The towns local bar in Skidmore, Missouri. Ken Rex McElroy was a 6-foot, 270 pounds, dark-complexioned, blue-eyed man who lived in Skidmore, Missouri. I had my service weapon drawn, and I wouldnt have been the least bit surprised if he tried to do something, Boyer recalls. As the case dragged on without a court date, Henry said McElroy had parked outside his home at least 100 times. When Daylight Saving Time 2023 Begins, Will It Be For The Last Time. Anyone can read what you share. One assumption Skidmore hasnt been able to shed is that McElroys killing was an act of vigilante justice. McElroy was a big man with cold eyes who always carried a gun. Posted on July 14, 2011 by Harry. He was shot at several times and hit twice, once by a centerfire rifle and once by a .22 rimfire rifle. McElroy sat outside the foster home for hours at a time staring at it. THE KILLING OF KEN REX MCELROY THIRTY YEARS LATER. He said he was not at all disappointed to leave office with the case still unsolved. I think he treated the whole town of Skidmore that way, the 78-year-old said, adding she didnt feel brave. But it got to the point it made me mad.. April 25th, 1980: A few of Ken's children go to the local grocery store and is accused of stealing by Mrs. Bowenkamp. Get out of town, they said. When the shooting ended, McElroy was slumped over the steering wheel. Those who spoke out were taciturn. A lot of people were not happy about what happened, MacLean said. The sheriff said, If you have to shoot him, let us know and well come get him before he starts stinking, Monte said. 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. If you liked reading this story on Ken McElroy, the bully who was killed by his town, check out the story of Budford Pussers cold-blooded revenge. Shortly after, Strattons wife Margaret was headed to church when she saw a strange truck in the driveway. He said that Mr. Baird pushed aggressively to bring a case to trial, but that investigators were never able to secure enough evidence to charge someone with a crime. McElroy would just sit and glower at you just stare at you and youd never know what he was thinking.. Ken Rex McElroy was shot dead inside his pick-up truck on the 10th of July, 1981, via a storm of bullets. There were plenty of eyewitnesses, as well as the attack happened in broad. The mere mention of his surname was enough to cause anxiety, if not full terror. Self care and ideas to help you live a healthier, happier life. The objective is to promote history on Medium and demonstrate the value of historical writing. On July 8, 1980, McElroy drove to the alley behind the Bowenkamp general store. I have no doubt hed have tried to kill my mom. The FBI entered the case stiff-arming and threatening people, is how Monte, the Bowenkamps daughter, relates it. I am a History Educator and a Lifelong Learner with a Masters in Global History. As Trena told the story to reporters, a group of men followed them as they left the D&G. Evelyn lived cross the street, and he made sure she could see them. When they met him on the street, parents steered their children, especially their daughters, away from McElroy, a notorious womanizer who favored young women and was married multiple times including to a child bride he was accused of raping and fathered 15 children. 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 began backing out too, then tailed Margaret until she radioed Richard and squad cars showed up. One night after he pulled a speeding pickup truck over, Boyer came face to face with McElroy. Five or six of us were standing in front of the Skidmore Caf, waiting and passing the time. 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