20 WebGenealogy for Ken Rex McElroy (1934 - 1982) family tree on Geni, with over 230 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. Ken Rex McElroy was shot in broad daylight on July 10, 1981, as he sat with his wife, Trina, in the front seat of their pickup truck in Skidmore. One man said to an officer examining the scene: What are you doing here? Failed to report flower. The McElroys eventually left the store, but when Bowenkamp closed up that night, he was outside, waiting. We went to the police. Ken Rex McElroy was not a nice man. . Bill Everhart, mayor of the town of 440 people, says it could have been avoided had the courts cracked down on McElroy. . Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? '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. . 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? Someone warned her, Youre about to meet Ken Rex McElroy, Monte said. Last Names. 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. The Story Of Ken McElroy, The Vicious Bully Killed By His Town He quickly divorced Alice, then drove Trena to Kansas and married her to avoid conviction of statutory rape. His foot fell to the accelerator when he was shot, causing the engine to run at full bore. McElroy was known to pay local kids for information about who was where in town at what time, so the Bowenkamps developed their own network of informants. You know how he oppressed and threatened us. Davis Alices stepfather, in so many words, told McElroy to shove it. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Ken McElroy (21971)? The citizens of Skidmore Missouri apparently protecting the person or persons firing the shots. The courts would not help us or Skidmore. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Beside him was his wife, Trena. -. McElroy was arrested and charged with arson, assault, and statutory rape. 20, , 40 , Ken McElroy - Wikipedia Burial. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Kenneth Rex McElroy "Bully" Murder - Getty Images SLAIN BULLY'S TOWN LOOKS BACK WITHOUT PITY He had been Im having trouble downloading the pictures, but should have them up soon. But of course, McElroy filed an appeal of his conviction, and was let out on $40,000 bond while his appeal was pending. Search above to list available cemeteries. United States Attorney Robert Ulrich declared that the Government was still working on its case despite the failure of the two grand juries to find witnesses who would talk. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Investigators found shell casings from two weapons a .22-caliber Magnum rifle and an 8 mm Mauser, a German World War I-era long-range rifle. He didnt just like being with many women, he did have a type, young girls. He was the 15th child of 16 born to Tony and Mabel McElroy. Refusing to argue, he and Lois went home. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. It was a matter of self-preservation. Resend Activation Email. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Oops, we were unable to send the email. He was literally untouchable right up until the day he wasnt. Debbie Ann McElroy He abused Alice verbally and physically, and when she gave birth to their son, she moved out to live with her mother and stepfather In St Joseph, the next town over from Skidmore. A clerk saw what happened and warned the girl that she better return the candy or pay for it. Unresolved: The Town That Killed Ken McElroy But they continued and I ducked. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. He told them he was coming to pick up his son, and if anyone tried to stop him, he would kill them. Horton, Brown County, Kansas, USA. They worked as sharecroppers and moved often before settling in Skidmore. While driving down a gravel farm road that abutted his property, Henry came upon a figure and a vehicle that he recognized instantly, Ken Rex McElroy. , [ : (, )] Of course, McElroy had a gun. , Why are you doing this? It went beyond just hammering people and being mean-spirited. Thank you very much for the update on your recent trip. The couple then moved to Colorado. He forced the two women and the children into his truck and drove them back to the farmhouse. The morning of July 10, 1981, was a hot one in Skidmore, Missouri. McElroy was acquitted, thanks to his talented attorney. Ken McElroy in U.S. Social Security Death Index (SSDI) Ken Rex McElroy in FamilySearch Family Tree. So is Stratton. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Investigators dug and dug, but Skidmore residents maintained their silence. Ken Rex grew into a large and intimidating figure. This is the story of a bully, and to the town of Skidmore Missouri he was the meanest, nastiest, bully that has ever lived. Trena McCloud first caught Ken Rex McElroys eye when she was twelve years old. At over six-feet tall and nearly 300 pounds he was a formidable presence by sight alone. Joyce Monte, daughter of injured grocer. 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. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. He had been charged with more than 20 felonies, robbing, raping, burning, shootings. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Looking back, the justice system had as much to do with killing Ken McElroy as anyone in Skidmore did.. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Try again later. Every school has a bully or bullies, and every small town has that family or families. We have set your language to This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. 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. 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. just happened . Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. He left town just as Ken and Trena McElroy were driving in, likely passing McElroys Chevrolet Silverado pickup in his cruiser on the road. Ken Rex McElroy was not a nice man. Learn more about managing a memorial . McElroy for the most part escaped prosecution and, certainly, conviction for various crimes. Since the killing, the town has been besieged with reporters and investigators. He specialized in stealing cattle and anything else he could get his hands on. Sorry! 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]. Gene McFadin, McElroys nickel-slick lawyer from Kansas City could get Ken off every time, Kirby Goslee, a 71-year-old Skidmore farmer who still works the land his family homesteaded six generations ago, told Patch. True Crime and the Satisfaction of the Unsolved Mystery The mere mention of his surname was enough to cause anxiety, if not full terror. He waved the gun around inside the tavern, proclaiming that he was going to finish off Bo Bowenkamp. Not a one of 'em felt sorry for him. Made A Vigilante Pact To Kill Ken Rex McElroy The murder of Ken Rex McElroy isnt unsolved in the typical sense of the word. Farmers carried them to kill varmints, or for hunting displaying them in plain sight in rear window gun racks. Debbie Ann McElroy, age 54 of Conway, Missouri, passed away Sunday, June 14, 2020 at her home in Conway. But even more frustrating was the ineptitude of law enforcement in their handling of the monster that terrorized them day in and day out. This is far from what happened in the case of McElroy. 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. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. 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. Ken Rex McElroy (1934-1981) - Find a Grave Memorial Imagine what McElroy would make of that: a college graduate for a son. Everyone just went home. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. By the age of 15, Ken Rex had dropped out of school and established himself as a coon hunter, and thief. Ken Rex fell quickly in lust with Trena. After the photos. Our law enforcement never went after him very hard, he said. Trena McElroy remarried and had a fairly normal life, refusing interviews after she left Skidmore. Oops, something didn't work. Try again later. The police would not or could not help us or Skidmore. No one else corroborated Trenas story. He had time to work his system and get what he wanted. Skidmore residents were pleased that (some) justice was finally being served. Ken Rex McElroy (June 1, 1934 July 10, 1981) was a resident of Skidmore, Missouri. After her husband's death, Mrs. McElroy moved away. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. 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. From 12 to 60 people, by varying estimates, marched down the street. From talking to witnesses, he concluded that the killing of McElroy was not planned. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Who was Ken Rex McElroy? Blood covered the inside of the vehicle, as well as Trena, who was sitting in the passenger seat. Hurt in a car wreck, or due to someone else's negligence? His favored methods of intimidation included approaching people, hissing threats at them and shoving his shotgun in their faces. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Add to your scrapbook. It could be all in my mind, but I dont think so. Replies analysing and speculating over the mystery and possible explanations are encouraged. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Retaliation would be severe. Ken McElroy A federal grand jury was convened. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. Not one of them felt bad. Copyright 2017 Wagner & Lynch | By 14 years old Trena was pregnant with their first child. SLAIN BULLY'S TOWN LOOKS BACK WITHOUT PITY, https://www.nytimes.com/1982/07/11/us/slain-bully-s-town-looks-back-without-pity.html. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Ken Rex McElroy I found on Findagrave.com. The authorities had let them down, so they had no choice but to take matters into their own hands. And just over the horizon, beginning Aug. 1 on Sundance TV, is No One Saw a Thing, a six-part immersion in rural Missouri and the notorious 1981 vigilante killing of Ken Rex McElroy. Henry survived, and unlike the majority of McElroys other victims, actually went on to testify in court against him. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Its owned and run by newcomers. They recounted his threats to kill anyone who tried to jail him. To use this feature, use a newer browser. They became disenchanted with the legal processes, yet frightened by Mr. McElroy's volatile disposition. The When Estes and state troopers arrived back in town, the streets were empty and quiet, save the rumbling, smoking engine of McElroys truck. However, he lived only to experience the next chapter in the saga of being a victim of Ken Rex McElroy. Over the course of his life Ken Rex would be married three times and father ten children. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Kenneth Rex McElroy in MyHeritage family trees Nearly 30 years of Then one day, McElroy drove to the corner store, found Bo Bowenkamp around the back, and shot him in the neck. Submissions should outline a mystery and provide a link to a more detailed review of the case such as a Wiki article or news report. McElroy slumped forward onto the steering wheel. Unresolved: The Town That Killed Ken McElroy 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. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? '', People are friendly and smiling on first acquaintance but quickly withdraw or become guarded when the McElroy case is brought up. No one called an ambulance. He had many affairs over the course of his marriage to both Alice and his first wife Sharon. Weve updated the security on the site. He dropped out of school before he reached high school, and by 13 was already a familiar character to the cops around Nodaway County. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Richard Stratton, the only lawman in northwest Missouri ever known to stand up to McElroy, hunted McElroy down and arrested him on an attempted murder charge. This is a collaborative project with FindMyPast.com. Yes, its against the law, but you know, the law is not the final definitive word on him. ''There were a couple of bangs,'' said Mr. Hartman, whose office is near the tavern, ''and at first I thought it was firecrackers. Talked to a lady who grew up close to skidmore. Despite two grand jury investigations, no one has been charged in the killing. In Broad Daylight Classic Print Edition. McFadin was a highly skilled attorney who got McElroy off the hook time and time again. 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. It has a bar, and music on the weekend. 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. I dont believe youre coming nowafter we needed your help all this time.. Learn more about merges. Drag images here or select from your computer for Debbie Ann McElroy memorial. Harry MacLean, author of "In Broad Daylight". Ken was eventually convicted for shooting a local general store owner for accusing his daughters of shoplifting. When the shooting ended, McElroy was slumped over the steering wheel. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. , . You have chosen this person to be their own family member. , . Now that the hearing had been delayed, and McElroy no doubt knew who the witnesses were, the entire town felt a sense of impending doom about what was to come. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Hed leave, then hed come back, Monte said. We didnt have sufficient evidence to go to trial.. to Kenneth and Sharon Fossinger McElroy.She was preceded in death by her father.Debbie was born in the Skidmore area and attended school there. He was stalked and threatened mercilessly, only to remain vigilant, appear at trial, testify against Ken Rex, and still see him walk away without consequence. Despite the facts, the residents of Skidmore, MO, weren't so eager to talk 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. There was an error deleting this problem. Residents seem more resentful, less willing to talk. The townsfolk were infuriated. They surrounded McElroy, shouting at him that they had had enough and that his days were numbered. When you park in front of the old D & G. McElroy may have been shot there 30 years ago (next July), but in some ways it could have been last July. Injured at work? cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. WebJune 16th, 1934: Ken Rex McElroy is born to Mabel and Tony McElroy, the thirteenth out of fourteen children. 'No One Saw a Thing': A town torn apart by 38 years of violence The attending physician was so appalled at the beating that the underage girl had taken and the history of abuse that she gave, family services was called in and took the girl into custody. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Evelyn lived cross the street, and he made sure she could see them. He was 47 years old. Itll be a day or two. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. To describe McElroy as intimidating is putting it lightly. Birth. Life revolves around work, but that is a value that townspeople say Mr. McElroy discarded early in life. 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. You may request to transfer up to 250,000 memorials managed by Find a Grave. 1955 or 56: Ken and Oleta McElroy move back to Missouri after Ken's accident in Colorado. They were running away, seeking refuge away from Ken Rex. Several of those who observed the shooting were standing in front of the station, which is just a few yards up the hill from where the riflemen were standing. 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. Yet in a conspiracy of silence that has spanned the past 38 years, the townsfolk have held the secret close. 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. She ended up dropping the charges. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Everyone in town seemed to know McElroy had done it, yet he spent only a single night in jail for nearly killing the man. Who Killed Ken Rex McElroy: Town Keeps Its Secret For 38 Years Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. On his release, McElroy strolled into the D&G Tavern, holding a rifle with a bayonet attached. The metallic smell of his own blood consumed the cab of the pickup truck. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. 2. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. based on information from your browser. More Options. McElroy died at the scene, surrounded by the people he had terrorised for decades. McElroy was spinning so hard out of control, I have no doubt he would have tried to kill my dad again, given the chance. Later, she moved to Conway to be near her sister.She is survived by two sons, Wendell Cole and Bobby McElroy, both of Kansas City, Kansas; three grandchildren, Seleah, Malachi and Malik; her mother, Sharon Wilhoit of Helena, Mo. FBI Closes Inquiry Into the Killing of a Town Bully Your Scrapbook is currently empty. ''Sure, I want this thing solved. Somebody opened the passenger door and pulled Trena out of the truck and into another building nearby. An outsider has taken to buying residences, and storing tremendous amounts of junk in the yards. 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. 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.
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