On occasion, such people will be prosecuted and even imprisoned or disbarred. Kids are easily misled by the adults who say trust me or I can give you this and that and they dont have the maturity to turn it down, much less defend themselves. hi, Harry. Very well said. To me, what makes a person unforgivable is their refusal to repent for their actions. [1] To date, no one has been charged in connection with McElroy's death. Its so well written, or maybe since Im from Missouri, I can totally see the scenes that are described in the book. I grew up in Oregon, MO which is a small town not too far from Skidmore. I have heard about this man for many years growing up. I wish peace and happiness for all of them and hopefully they can close this chapter of their lives. Now, DNA evidence could have convicted McElroy of statutory rape when a 16 year old gave first gave birth, supporting her testimony. The man law enforcement was scared of, who could clear out the bar in Skidmore just by sitting at the counter. They are absolutes and when all else fails to destroy evil, then it falls to the individual to do whatever is necessary. I just recently read the story and I have to say how sad the whole thing is. MacLean goes on to describe young McElroy as an illiterate bully who kids and adults alike were afraid of; he would steal lunch money from his fellow students and shoplift from local stores with no consequence. I get what you are saying, but consider that many violent people (rapists especially) often say things like, I just couldnt help myself, becausefill in the blank. When they find themselves in prison around even tougher people or surrounded by armed guards, they control themselves and behave better. Ken Rex beat her into submission, yet he was the one who protected her and put food on the table. I knew he covered a lot of territory, but I didnt know he had made it to Lawrence. Many elements in common with McElroy/Skidmore: small town local bully, law enforcement and legal system unable to manage the issue and ultimately townspeople took matters into their own hands. If he was out stealing that night, Trena was most likely not with him. Now 47, he is the same age McELroy was when he was shot to death on the main street of Skidmore Missouri. This was Jeffrey. Im not being crude or rude I really mean that. The Town That Got Away With Murder - Ken Rex McElroy No investigation, no real police presence. He had it right: Fear is what it was all about with McElroy. I havent followed the Branson case that closely, but I know the crime hasnt been solved. Ken Rex McElroyThe Thirtieth Anniversary of his Killing Let them rot. No sympathy for KM or his wife. McElroy sat outside the foster home for hours at a time staring at it. His parents, Tony and Mabel, were humble sharecroppers that could probably not have coped with so many offspring. A few stiff sentences, and Dan would have been forgotten, as he deserved to be. It will never change the ending. Death simply made him a dead bully. She departed this life Tuesday, January 24, 2012, in her daughter's home, near Conway, Missouri, at the age of fifty-five years. Ill never forget the night of his visitation after he passed, people were lined up out the door to pay their respects . Im glad you set the record straight, on the facts. The judges and prosecuters on the other hand maybe didnt do their jobs. Very informative and interesting post. You have never been an abused woman!!! Thanks for sharing. http://www.holmanhowe.com/sitemaker/sites/Holman1/obit.cgi?user=559576WilliamsLebanon#.TyhZNgTT0J0.facebook. He appeared in a local bar, the D&G Tavern, armed with an M1 Garand rifle and bayonet, and later threatened to kill Bowenkamp. I went through abuse as a child and that abuse tends to make people do things they normally wouldnt do. You arent afraid of the man himself, but what he is capable of doing behind your back. McCloud identified D&G owner Del Clement as one of the shooters, but Clement was never officially charged with the crime, Mental Floss writes. Were all better without them. I agree with you and Jack. People who judge the town harshly dont understand what it went through. 13 Things About Ken McElroy's Shooting You Need To Know Before - Bustle "It pained a lot of them, there's no doubt about that. She still seemed somewhat like a child when I met her. My mom bought the book back in the 80s when I was a kid, and I read it for the first time in high school. Ive still got mixed feelings about the shooting. You could argue that the town failed to protect an abducted 12 year old and owed her damages for the subsequent rapes and abuse she endured. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. For those not familiar with the environment in which we work I can only add that a person who lacks confidence and empathy is short lived in this career field. Which is one of the big reasons the rustling really bothered me. I dont believe I heard the name. Glad to hear she moved on to a happy life, sorry she died so cruelly. Loved the original book, and would like to find the movie in DVD, but it doesnt seem to be anywhere. Its part of their job to see justice done despite risk to themselves, Were they bought and paid for like the sleezoid lawyer? When your parents show you arbitrary cruelty and dont acknowledge their wrongdoing, it humiliates you, and you begin looking for outlets on which to impose your own anger, so you can feel in control again. I share your sympathy toward the children. Its hard to feel sympathy for her when his bullying made her feel strong and secure. I believe the engine in the truck seized up because Mr. McElroys foot was on the accelerator and no one moved his foot or even shut off the engine. Then divorced, and I think remarried again. Additional charges were filed against McElroy.[7]. To many people, Del Clement was a hero. he might get the point & stop being a dumbass, I recently have seen the tv show called city confidential. Glad for her and respect her privacy. Alice died about ten or fifteen years ago. I remember hearing about this story for the very first time on 60 Minutes when I was in high school. I read the first book, In Broad Daylight. Perhaps she was plain and nave but she was always aware of what Ken was doing; every day of it. Does my heart good to know that she went on to live a good full and happy life with good people because thats what she deserved because as much as everybody blamed her she was brainwashed by a horrible human being. My point is that now I am a very happily married wife and mother of two and nothing at all like the girl I was. In the ensuing confrontation, McElroy shot Bowenkamp in the neck; Bowenkamp survived, and McElroy was arrested and charged with attempted murder. He picked on the weak. Honestly the person I have the biggest problem with is the defense attorney for McElroy. You must be relted to the monster! Trena (3rd wife) children; three her obituary stated she had 8 children ?? The County Sheriff just spoke to the media in 2019 that the suspects involved in the missing Branson case are on the radar. They were all white trash, she was just as guilty as Ken McElroy was in terrorizing those people, although they picked the right town apparently, you can only bully people for so long, shes lucky she didnt meet the same fate. I had a fascinating interview with her, though. The article on the Punkin show illustrates that Skidmore is still hanging on despite some unfavorable conditions, such as one fellow in particular buying up all sorts of property and turning it into junkyards. She is hardly mentionedwhat happened to her after Ken died? Trena McElroy Passed Away | Harry N. MacLean Such beautiful words. I closing, I would like to say that ( The lost son, of Ken) was never lost at all. I learned today that Trena McElroy, Ken McElroys former wife, died on January 28, 2012. The bottom line is, without witnesses (which McElroy threatened and intimidated so that they wouldnt testify), any conviction was unlikely. Thanks for writing. The other thread that is much more active than this one is about Mcfadin, McElroys lawyer, and the debate over the role he played in facilitating McElroys crimes. I feel I owe you a debt for making me forget this damn pandemic for a while! Things happen in small town America, but 1 in a million catch the attention of the media so it seems like an isolated incident. I am not saying that she was right in some of her actions, but, when people are really backed up in a corner and afraid, they do things to survive and to keep the people they love (ie her family and children) safe! "Ken McElroy married for the first time at age 18, and moved briefly to . Before then he just knew he had been adopted. MacLean sums up the townspeople's thought process on Criminal: "'Where was the law? That lawyer should have been run out of town on a rail, or at least been reported to the bar. Which at the very least is what every human deserves. The figure sitting across from me at the small table only barely resembled the young man I had met almost twenty years ago. I intend to write something about it soon. Either way, the prosecutor and judge are the gate keepers of civil society. She remarried and had children with her new husband. I also hung out with Tonya and her boyfriend Chris as they started having babies. You stand up to a bully you strip him of his power. McElroy fathered more than 10 children with different women. See he was tired of fighting the town people and all the rest of the crap. This man had such a shameful history of crime to his name that he was definitely no saint. In June, 1973 I was a patient at the Fairfax Community Hospital, 20 some miles NW of Skidmore. I mean her family house was burned to the ground, her pet was killed, and she was abused and who knows what else. He got what he had coming why keep talking about it its over done, I believe that anyone that wants a vigilante tried for murdering the scum of the earth, is the reason the world is in the sad state of affairs that its in today. I havent been able to find an address for Ken McElroys house that was burned. You certainly dont get an entire town to cover it up, if the man is not exceptional at being a monster and being hated by everyone. . It will probably remain unsolved. The world needs more true American men like the ones that killed this POS, She was a victim just like so many others. He was quite helpful. Required fields are marked *. I had not thought much about this since this all happened when he was in the media way back when but I just saw something on YouTube that made me curious as to what happened to the thing. He was a great state trooper and sheriff and still a well known man today. i know that the town never had any intent in shooting trena. They operate a gourmet traveling food stand. She was young and he probably brainwashed her impressionable young mind until she without a doubt thought this was how life was supposed to be. [4], McElroy fathered more than 10 children with different women. Trena was his accomplice, not his victim, by the time of his death. Whatever dont be killing your self. 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. Harry MacLean. We are still very good friends and I still try to get whatever stories I can from them. Trena too young to know a better way and being unable to make her own judgements, plus being gaslighted by Ken to the point that she couldnt think for herself and her parents not protecting her. As far as him never being convictedwell, you cant just ignore all those indictments and the rapes! I am shocked and horrified by the story particularly that in the 20th century that the LAW ( I blame the Law for not being more proactive to help Trena & her family) were unable to protect a young girl from sexual abuse. Its clear there is no zoning or zoning enforcement in Skidmore. Aside from his cruelty and sociopathy, given different life circumstances he could have put that nimble mind of his to some meaningful use. Only crybabies speak of other peoples finances. In the nature versus nurture debate, this story fits on the nurture side of the spectrum. The FBI investigated to try to find out who actually shot and killed Ken Rex McElroy, but they had no success. [3] McElroy was acquitted. I just re-read In Broad Daylight and would like to visit Skidmore (I live in KCMO), and also would like to see a pic of Trena that wasnt with Ken. I agree that the laws are much better this day and time in regard to stalking, etc., but I still dont feel law enforcement did enough in this situation. McElroys house back in 1980. https://vintageaerial.com/photos/missouri/nodaway/1980/ONO/29/17. Because even when all else failed the townspeople, it was the judge who failed Dan and the families most of all. You cant tell me the judge didnt know Ken would react the way he did. Neither am I. I took a seat close to him and he immediately started to pick a fight with me. If she had just moved on and let the issue with his wrongful death go, I would have felt more pity for her in terms of how she first became involved with him. Trena was a liar, she said he was a good man, he did nothing wrong,. "[13], McElroy was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri. When the shooting happened in 1980, a friend, who had been working at the hospital in 1973, told me, that baby being kept hidden was Ken & Trenas son. I know so, because I saw a description of this other movie in a book that Leonard Maltin had published back in 1989 in which he provided movie reviews. Maybe Im forgetting that part of the book, but why was he ever released on bail during the appeal process? I saw him back down from a guy once at Rutledge over a dog. Hmmm. I just finished reading your book, an excellent piece of work. Could someone on this blog sheet tell me what the title of that other movie was? DNA can and is irrefutable evidence though. Search on Find A Grave for Ken McElroy. So until you have walked in her shoes, do not judge her! I was in skidmore, some years back, as a result of the interest, the book sparked in me. Obviously neither of them ever heard of the Golden Rule. Give the lady a break. Im so glad to hear that she was able to find happiness after the trauma inflicted on her by her 1st husband and by the town of Skidmore. what about the other wives / children this man has abused & made them stay with him?? Richard McFadin-Ken McElroy's Lawyer-Died in May I think Trena was someone who grew up in a household where she couldnt trust anyone to be looking out for her best interests (case in point: mother handing her over to pedophile Ken). And yes, the person turning properties into storage for junk is really unfortunate. She deserved more than she got from the town with her settlement, which probably didnt go very far since she was raising children. Thanks for your research! But I also decided to not live my life even for a minute being afraid of another man. Kenneth Rex McElroy "Bully" Murder - Getty Images The bus driver handed her over. Shoot them in the head and throw their ass in the creek make a example out of them? Thanks for the comment. One of them, Jeffy, had a hernia problem. I also knew Faye Copeland of Ray and Faye Copeland fame, was the very next tenant in an apartment in St. Joe from which a young woman had disappeared and was later found murdered, and know a woman named Angela (Angie) who was kidnapped by the same guy suspected of killing Crystal Kipper-John Williams. For her thug partner ?? Thanks for the comment. Tammy was Sharons daughter, and I would guess she was around 13. Just a matter of a fact type situation. I guess Id want to know if Trena was truly regretful later in life. They will be laughing hysterically and then flip the finger at the town as they drive off in a fire engulfed truck and disappear. McElroy was charged with assault with intent to kill. this is not new to us here, it hppeans all the time but a town bully? Thanks. Has no one tried to prosecute him? It seems Q Goslees family has experienced losses at an earlier age than I would have thought. To many people make excuses for bad people. Required fields are marked *. It had to be difficult walking the tight rope, during research obtaining information from pertinent people, while trying your best to remain impartial. However, it was more than obvious to the townspeople and the authorities that McElroy was no goodie-two-shoes. Why does Tim work in a pizza parlor ? If not, it should be on my website. ( unlike myself) And to look into his eyes one can see alot of innocence in a grown mans eyes, For he has a gentle soul.So Harrys first impression at the airport, was not a clear picture of the man he really is. But it was an easy thing for them to do, to raise their hands and lie under oath.". Jeffrey seemed curious, but was not interested in meeting any of many siblings living in the area. Rather than put up with it, I just moved and finished my beer and left. But the way the parents let things happen, the abused child could evolve into the accomplice of a criminal in adulthood. Living in northeast Kansas, I found it compelling that this took place in my area of the world in a small town that doesnt seem all that unfamiliar to me. It was probably held as evidence and then junked, The insurance company took it back, after a body shop in Maryville fixed it up. What did they ever do with the lot were Kens house was? somebody better tell that dude about kenny & what happened to him . As for Ken Rex, no surprise. He bedded a series of teenagers, sometimes finding his quarry by hanging out at junior high school playgrounds. Motion detection lights & cameras would show him shooting in public. If she was suing to provide for his children, did she give the other Mothers some of the money? She was a prisoner for a good part of her young life. Some in Nodaway County, some in southwestern Missouri, and others in faraway places like Pennsylvania. I understand that was probably the case. Why has no one stepped forward to identify McElroy's killer? Ken McElroy issues threats against the Bowenkamp . Followed the link to Trenas obit so pleased to see the post @ her Christian Faith God forgives everyone who repents, and love(d) Trena as much as Mother Teresa and everyone in between Perfection is not a pre-requisite. being physically abused takes numerous tolls. Stealing livestock, ambushing people. If there is a hell, at least they are both there together. It told the story of Ken Rex, since abot 2 weeks ago i have been reading non-stop about this man and feel almost sick to hear about the children, is there any word on any other children other than Jeff and his sister? They only wanted to control through violence. I agree with you wholeheartedly. Outside of the D&G Tavern, the engine of a truck could be heard roaring to life, until it gave out, and eventually the engine blew. There is nothing cursed about Skidmore. Wow..you Gerry Murphy do not understand anything about abuse..trena had every right to sue the town..Im glad she did it..look at what the town did to help her..not a damn thing..she should have gotten more money..as for the 2 trouble maker daughters what ever happened to these little liers?..they started all this mess with there bullshit story about raiding the store? I dont understand how a man could allow someone to take your child without putting up a good fight ! When she balked at sex, he beat her and threatened to kill her father. What I haven read is how tough and how much of a man he was without a gun with a man face to face that wasnt afraid of him. One cant imagine a man more the opposite of Ken McElroy. I dont believe that vigilante violence is justifiable, but in this case it is. 1. Cant blame the kids for the fathers sins. On the morning of July 10th, 1981, shots rang out in the small town of Skidmore, Missouri. While she contributed to whatever Ken did, she posed no threat individually. Jeff and I both shared a huge interest in bodybuilding and worked out together for years and years. They were of one mind, clearly, or the entire set of facts sought by the police would be known by now. He would come to a bar called Blues Brew Town carrying a gun and the bar would empty out. Suing the town was not right but perhaps there were pragmatic reasons (being a single mother without anyone but Ken to rely on, maybe; having to rapidly relocate). A lot of them it didn't pain at all. I am interested to know, do u live in skidmore? Killing Fields: The Town That Got Away With Murder Now he had to deal with the truth. He burned her parents house. The person knew McElroy for many years and said that Ken neither had the guts nor the intestinal fortitude to face Bo in a face to face gun duel. Kenneth Rex McElroy "Bully" Murder - Getty Images A 12 year old girl Id raped and terrorized by a grown man and not even her parents protected her. Just read your latest blog, in which you talked about your meeting with Jeffrey. who testified in No One Saw a Thing, Ken Rex McElroy was considered to be the "town bully." Before McElroy died, he had threatened a number of people at gunpoint, shot a few people, and sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl, Trena McCloud, before marrying her to evade statutory rape charges. Do you know how young Damien is? How sad for him. Those parents should have moved away with the 12 year old as fast as possible, even without a house. Thats lousy that they didnt even have the decency to credit you. I want to know WHY. I really enjoyed this book so much so, that I just read it a 2nd time! 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. McElroy is believed to be the inspiration for the character Brad Wesley the main antagonist of the 1989 film Road House portrayed by Ben Gazzara. You know Harry, some day I would really like to meet you, shake your hand & get your autograph. McElroy's first shooting victim was local farmer Romaine Henry, who he shot twice in the stomach with a shotgun. Interesting. Although Trena rode with McElroy at the end, she was victimized by him at age 12. Jeffrey has a lot of friends who think hes an amazing guy. I just want to say to those people who are hard on Trena, as an ex-abused woman, Im telling you, you do exactly what you are told and you do NOT steer from his demands or you pay for it in the end. But I wasnt there so I cant judge . . As for her having a choice, no, no,no! Filmmaker Avi Belkin's 'No One Saw a Thing . During our conversation at the airport, I become unnerved by the resemblance between Jeffrey and his father. . its been said that she moved on & found God and happiness later in life that she had changed . She was lucky the town granted her mercy. https://www.maryvilleforum.com/gallery-2021-skidmore-punkin-show/collection_14ebd20e-f5fa-11eb-8cdc-c35d90891f9e.html#1. I read the book and believe that the townspeople were fully justified. The thought of all of the rotten crap McFadin pulled in order to protect his criminal client makes me sick to my stomach. Instead, she contributed to Kens thievery, bullying, harassment, and assaults. .His father was indeed the legendary terrorist of Nodaway County, the man who raped and shot and assaulted and stole and burned almost at will for over twenty years, and who, until the very end, was never prosecuted. She finally gave all four of them up for adoption. All of these things have combined to make me a true crime fanatic. She was bullied by this devious, evil, selfish man, completely dominated, and she made mistakes. The law is insufficient at times. If it wasnt for the people of Skidmore being forced to take the law into their own handsTrena would have never had the happy life she did. His father was a tenant farmer, his mother a housewife swamped with feeding and caring for the sprawling family. The show was a cheap hatchet job. The law fails. Why he did it, well never know. Those things happened because the criminal in a case like this is an animal, and his/her subsequent crimes only took place because of the evil inside of that person. Did you learn about your grandfather as a kid? There was still a little packed ice and snow on the ground, so I think it was mid March of 1981. May this sweey woman RIP, and she was to young!! As your life Is meaningful. I plan to write a rebuttal to the show it was all inference and speculation and wishful thinking. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84375228/trena-louise-williams, Mr. Mclean Your book, was an excellent one. Yes, we all go through changes in this journey called life. Im sure she felt anger & betrayal, along with what that kind of abuse does to your psyche. On July 27, 1976, Skidmore farmer Romaine Henry said McElroy shot him twice with a shotgun after Henry challenged him for shooting weapons on Henry's property. Ken Jr. was the oldest of Sallys children and knew of the story but he had no desire to re-connect with Sally, myself or Lori according to Lisa. He has not the slightest feel of violence about him. THAT is the nature of the sociopath. My personal opinion is that DNA and modern surveillance (cell phones and the like) wouldnt have allowed the cops to back down as easily as they did then. In a place where he doesnt know EVERYTHING about EVERYONE, they take it down a notch. She had to of been a strong woman to endure what she did and come out okay! I know some were farmers there for years it was home yada. He was my favorite person in the book and someone I would have really liked to meet. Great literary work, sir. It was an act of self-defense. The marshal turned in his badge and quit the next day. Im going crazy, trying to find out the answer to this one question I have about this whole thing. See her as a girl on TV in this story, then seeing her photo as a woman and reading comments like yours, does show how God led her to a wonderful place and she has surely left her mark on this world. And the local bar with a loud air conditioner in a window somewhere making a racket while the locals hid from the heat of the day. I just found out about the book The Story Behind In Broad Daylight', and I am reading it. I dont believe any of those people are murderers or bad people, they truly felt that was their only choice. She should have thanked them instead of blaming & suing them. Lori, the sister who was raised with me knew. 5 6 7 All of McElroys kids that I talked to liked the guy, but I suspect that was because he was gone from so much terrorizing other folks. I dont know just guessing. I truly believe she learned from these mistakes, so forgiveness is in order, especially since she became a totally different person after he was out of her life. No one lives on the property, although is brother Tim, the youngest in the family, lives a little ways down the road. Skidmore, itself, is going to die. The I seen quote kills me. The lost son of Ken Rex McElroy.