ken mcelroy children

Thanks for writing the book about Ken Rex. But it was an easy thing for them to do, to raise their hands and lie under oath.". Sixteen days after Trena gave birth, both she and Alice fled to Trena's parents' house. we have an individual in our farming communitythe same exact behaviorthe problem with these bullies they are protected ..we know who protects our town bullyhe is the cousin of the states attorneythis bully steals,terrorizes,intimidates everyone including the copsworks as an informant & gets double protection..now who besides this guys attorney also was on the take I want to hear the whole story.bags of money ..follow the money and you will find the real culprits/gangsters. One of the more interesting comments so far. Jeffrey was 22 and a college graduate when he discovered who his father was. Im not sure if Ken physically abused her but I wouldnt be a bit surprised to learn that he did. I worked with him at a school for Behavior problem children. I have spoken to him in the past about this situation and he allowed me to borrow the book In Broad Daylight It was an amazing book, and more interesting because I know Jeff. I went to grade school near St. Joseph with one of his daughters after they moved away from Ken McElroy. Where was the FBI? The best part of this book is when the old acquaintance of Ken looked him up and decided to tell him about salvation through Jesus Christ. [1] To date, no one has been charged in connection with McElroy's death. Have just finished the book, I was very saddened that the towns people didnt try and help the defenceless Bowenkemps during McElroys intimidation ordeal, would of thought that a small town would rally around the unfortunate family that got the brunt of McElroys nasty bullying. Do you know how young Damien is? In the end, Dan McElroy was done in by his own success. I intend to write something about it soon. As far as him never being convictedwell, you cant just ignore all those indictments and the rapes! Interesting how McElroy was functionally illiterate, but undeniably street-smart in the extreme. There was still a little packed ice and snow on the ground, so I think it was mid March of 1981. People are fully entitled to talk about a thug whether he is DEAD or NOT. The legal system had completely failed them and McElroy continued to threaten to kill the townspeople. Im not justifying what happened, but there were a lot of contributing factors and I believe people were legitimately scared and felt they had to do something since the law and the legal system failed them so abysmally. This guy is dead, a town lived through hell, and women/childrens lives were destroyed because for SOME reason members of law enforcement ALLOWED it. . When cattle rustlers were taking steer out of the fields at night everyone knew who and where they lived. I know she had some responsiblity in this, but I truly believe she was doing the best she could do in such bad circumstances. I must say that I read the book and it was my favorite true crime of all time. He taught me a lot about life and how being true to yourself makes a difference in your life and the lives of others. They are both burning in hell fire ? Kens children, I feel sorry for. Just like my mom. Shocked that trena passed on, her updated pic shows ahappy woman, you mentioned some of the kids are in Pa? 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. Im going to comment on several things, first Trena did not sue the town until AFTER she married her new husband and started on her new life. I havent been able to find an address for Ken McElroys house that was burned. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. However, I was forbidden to go anywhere near the pool hall in town, and could only go to the post office near it with an adult. Ive tried to leave her pretty much alone the last few years, let her see if she can find a normal life to live. I just wonder, you called I assume your grandfather as a monter, does that mean she admitted he was a horrible man? Just a matter of a fact type situation. Bless you and your family. GRANDDAUGHTER, your grandma was the sweetest person I could ever find. When she balked at sex, he beat her and threatened to kill her father. McElroy began stalking the Bowenkamp family, and eventually threatened Bo Bowenkamp in the back of his store with a shotgun in hand. I am sure their memories are nothing like the book and I hope they hold onto the happy memories they have. Everyone that seen this movie and read this book has only heard one side of the story, I on the other hand have heard multiple stories about how things really went down. This is a compelling story whether you knew or had any connection to the McElroys or not. Back then, law enforcement tended to side with the man or ignored the situation. The thought of all of the rotten crap McFadin pulled in order to protect his criminal client makes me sick to my stomach. The vibe is the same in these northern Missouri rural towns. It's no secret that our culture is obsessed with true crime stories, thanks to the likes of Serial and Making A Murderer and there are few crime stories more intriguing than an unsolved murder. Its similar to Stockholm Syndrome. No way a son of a bitch is going to sit in front of my home and fire a gun at my house buy one time. He gives somewhat of an explanation in the Sundance series No one saw a thing. I dont think he suspected there was going to be a shooting, although perhaps he should have. Well so did BILLIONS of other humans and they didnt turn into serial killers. im sorry that some people dont have sympathy for trena. God bless her families, that they my know Him and their lives will be full of blessings. only if you are from that area could you understand what happened. Still hard to believe it happened in 1981 rather than 1891. Obviously neither of them ever heard of the Golden Rule. Im glad she got away from him and found a better life for herself. He was a great state trooper and sheriff and still a well known man today. The townspeople were the ones who suffered punishment. Trena did get remarried, about five years after Kens death. I always wondered how far from town he lived, not that I would ever go there, just wondered if its on google maps. Godspeed. One of the dryest senses of humor Ive ever come across. Once they wake up, they make different choices. Aside from his cruelty and sociopathy, given different life circumstances he could have put that nimble mind of his to some meaningful use. This woman sued the town over Kens death. But thats television. No one else ever helped her. He befriended adolescent boys to gain entre to their female peers. She made that choice of her own. I currently work with him in a Behavioral/Learning Disorders School in Kansas City. Think about this Between 30 and 46 law abiding, normally peaceful people have NEVER had an attack of conscience over 40 years and said a word. The book told the story of Sally, who at fourteen began having children by Ken. I couldnt capture that in the book. Whether that was out of fear on their part I do not know. She may have come out the other side, but its been tough to locate any kind of record showing her apologize to all those people she terrorized and women and children she shamed when they tried to come forward with their true, horrifying accounts of this mans abuse. He would never have been convicted or even I indicted for defending his life his business and customers from this coward. But I was struck earlier today by the realization (once more) that art can often imitate life. I was in skidmore, some years back, as a result of the interest, the book sparked in me. Very interesting. He was quite helpful. We are still very good friends and I still try to get whatever stories I can from them. You stand up to a bully you strip him of his power. A six-member coroner's jury Tuesday ruled that McElroy was killed by 'person or persons unknown.' The decision was reached despite the testimony of Trina McElroy, his 24-year-old wife, who said. Jeffrey can straighten this out, hopefully. Maybe because he knew he would no longer be the big man of the block . She was lucky the town granted her mercy. He lived in the small town of Skidmore, Missouri, a . Lori and myself were adopted together and were raised in MO. Ken was my grandfather derome was my father Im deromes oldest my mother is trace I wish I could of meet my grandfather. Mr MacLean, you are a lawyer, right? Jeffery has done some amazing things in the 6+ years I have known him. Harry, my name is Summer Gross. Tonya was very sweet and loving and although Ive lost track of her in the last 20 years, I hope she has succeeded in life. It was based on In Broad Daylight. Somewhere down the line, one of his blood will become far worse than he ever was and the cycle will begin again. My grandfather is a great man and to know that he placed the fear of God in Ken and he never backed down from him makes him a remarkable man! I dont remember exactly when Alice passed away, but it was at least 5 years, from cancer. Its part of life to reflect on your youthful stupidity and take personal responsibility for the awful choices you made as a youthand try to understand why you attracted such a horrible person into your life and what you had to learn from it. I watched the Sundance Now film No one saw a thing the story of Ken McElroy. And is Timmy McElroy still around? I agree. From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. He was arrested, booked, arraigned, and released on $2,500 bail. I dont understand how a man could allow someone to take your child without putting up a good fight ! They acted out of desperation as they were given absolutely no alternative. A judge aint gonna do anything, Caitlin, and I thought I told you to shut your clown whore mouth! If there is a hell, at least they are both there together. The fact that she was victimized and obviously traumatized at a very early age was truly heinous. Though Ken McElroy was killed in broad daylight and in front of at least 30 witnesses, subsequent criminal investigations failed to identify any suspects. There is a certain defense to self defense when it comes to terrorism. I have some questions. I just saw the story of your grandmother and then found this article online. Jeffrey hopes that some good will come out of all this, but hes not sure what it might be. Im just sorry, her life started out like it did. On occasion, such people will be prosecuted and even imprisoned or disbarred. Kriss lives in Skidmore. He hit only twice, once by a centerfire rifle and once by a .22 rimfire rifle. Other times? Damien would not know anything about his grandpa except hear say as he was not even a live than. Not sure is you can find it now Im not sure I agree that her parents just turned her over to him they lost their home and dog (twice if I recall correctly). This guy had dark hair, and a small paunch. Just a comment on the burning of the house: Trena, Alice and their children were all long gone by the time McElroys house burned down. Excuses, excuses, excuses for the poor abused woman all over this page. To this day my source informs me the townsfolk still refer to Bo as the Clint Eastwood of Skidmore Missouri and all the surrounding area. In late winter of 1981 I walked over to the local neighborhood beer bar one evening and encountered a tough looking guy who was intimidating everyone around him and just generally mouthing off. I remember hearing about this story for the very first time on 60 Minutes when I was in high school. Quick question.., what reason did Sheriff Estes give for leaving Skidmore directly after the meeting even though he knew Ken Rex was coming into town? We were teens when we met and became best friends while attending UMKC. "He always had a chip on his shoulder," Harry MacLean told host Phoebe Judge about McElroy on her podcast Criminal. I totally agree! LOL This is plain ridiculous. I agree with you wholeheartedly. He has been a best friend of mine ever since. Besides,from what I have read,even lawmen were scared of Ken Rex. In reference to Tammy Hiltons question, the fourth child Ken Jr., Lisa and myself were Sallys and Kens biological children. Maybe Im forgetting that part of the book, but why was he ever released on bail during the appeal process? Which at the very least is what every human deserves. Did you learn about your grandfather as a kid? You can make the case that shooting McElroy in the back was a cowardly act. Ill never forget the night of his visitation after he passed, people were lined up out the door to pay their respects . Looks like Im going to have to buy the updated version of the book. I just recently read the story and I have to say how sad the whole thing is. Whatever they say is normal, you force yourself to accept as normal. This is nonthing more than a book writer who got made rich and well known for publishing this crap!!! The next time Id be ready. He picked on the weak. This poor lady. She was born in 1965 and died in June, 2020. Weighing in at approximately 270 pounds with bushy black sideburns, McElroy held the entire . I havent seen you since you was about 2. For the kids sake anyway. As he sat drinking at the bar, word got back to the men at the Legion Hall that he was in town. He has guided troubled students through angry and self destructive feelings, assisting them gain composure and self control. There wasn't much parental supervision, but McElroy had a knack for taking care of himself. Stuck in my back pocket and next time I got close I yanked it out by the Rawhide and put an 8 inch gash in his head tearing his ear nearly off. Uggh. It was Valley Road at the time. That fellow had blonde hair and was buffed out. Her obituary is online and lists a number of siblings, some of whom appear to be by other mothers than those listed above (surprise, surprise) The parents of the minor were legally responsible for the protection of the minor (and for things like education instead of breeding), and not the town. The law is insufficient at times. Id guess McFadin pushed for the lawsuit so he could get a nice percentage of any award. What part of the country was your grandparents farm? But as long as McElroy kept paying him (in cash, no less! Are they aware of their father and the history about him? Some of them have posted here; others have responded on my web site. BILLIONS of people on this planet are poor and they dont do what that thug did. I mean, come on, think for yourselves! you reference). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84375228/trena-louise-williams, Mr. Mclean Your book, was an excellent one. She stayed close to her parents, curiously enough. He bedded a series of teenagers, sometimes finding his quarry by hanging out at junior high school playgrounds. THATS TOTAL BS. Cant blame the kids for the fathers sins. He had read the book. Ken had 13 siblings: Hershell Eugene McElroy, Orvell McElroy and 11 other siblings. When you grow up like that, I really do believe that it stunts your empathy. The late David Graf played the part of Ken Rex McElroy. I plan to write a rebuttal to the show it was all inference and speculation and wishful thinking. In the nature versus nurture debate, this story fits on the nurture side of the spectrum. I knew 3 of Ken Rexs kids when they lived in St. Joseph, MO in the late eighties/early nineties. The town was harmed by poor law enforcement, Ken McElroys behaviour and its own fear. 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. Ordinarily, Id say vigilante justice is not the way to go, but the folks in Skidmore were terrorized on a day-to-day basis. Thanks for sharing. I hope it is still active. Its clear there is no zoning or zoning enforcement in Skidmore. It was probably held as evidence and then junked, The insurance company took it back, after a body shop in Maryville fixed it up. It would be interesting. Btw Who do they think kidnapped Branson? With him gone, and a weasel lawyer manipulating her, its no wonder she sued the town. Death simply made him a dead bully. Worse felonies included assault and arson. Im going to repeat that so you can hear it again. The town of Skidmore or maybe I should say the people that witnessed or participated in the execution, I feel may not have had too many choices. he might get the point & stop being a dumbass, I recently have seen the tv show called city confidential. Youve got it right. More people need put down instead of let off or allowed to live off taxpayers money in jail for the rest of their lives. Thats where I first met him and actually got to know him rather well. No one deserved to be treated the way she was and I just hope that all the children involved were able to move on and have better lives. He is what he is today more than likely because that is what he is skilled at in doing. The word snitch is a word mostly used by the criminal elements of our world. They use their size and weapons as intimidation so they dont have physical altercations that shows their lack of ability to be a real bad ass. She finally got the life she always deserved!!! Extremely hard working people. Life is so short.. to be filled with hate and violence. 1940 living with parents in Green, Nodaway, Missouri [2] Tony Mcelroy Head Male 50 Missouri 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. It is easier to some to stick with a deadbeat supplier of food and money and even help him with his crimes than to run away and learn a trade, go to work 8 hours daily, earn their own money and lead a non-criminal life. The way it was told, Ken understood that he needed to change his ways but he just wasnt ready. Even today if you google any of the names of the children you will find hateful things written by people. When she was at her worst it is clear to any thinking person that she was possessed by that human demon through relentless abuse. Were they scared of this thug? The thugs of this world breed like animals and the kids carry that genetic defect. She was bullied by this devious, evil, selfish man, completely dominated, and she made mistakes. this is not new to us here, it hppeans all the time but a town bully? Appalling. I also hung out with Tonya and her boyfriend Chris as they started having babies. I just wish she had been left in the truck as well. Im glad you enjoyed the book. Ken McElroy was a functional illiterate. was it revenger against his father? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Quit posting lame excuses for that criminal. In a place where he doesnt know EVERYTHING about EVERYONE, they take it down a notch. Its always been one of my favorite scenes in the book, but few others mention it. Sharon had children in 1961, '63, '64 and '65, and Sally in '61, '63 and '64. I just finished the book of Ken McElroys life and death. No investigation, no real police presence. I have known Jeff for over 15 years.The best way to describe him is , ( soft spoken, kind hearted, One who never seems to get upset. Cause she did stick up for him! Then divorced, and I think remarried again. On the morning of July 10, 1981, townspeople met at the Legion Hall in the center of town with Nodaway County sheriff Dan Estes to discuss how to protect themselves. Motion detection lights & cameras would show him shooting in public. He had it right: Fear is what it was all about with McElroy. he was a sociopathnot psychotic. Being around men as violent as himself would have been true justice. McElroy divorced Alice and married Trena in order to escape charges of statutory rape, to which she was the only witness. He burned her parents house. Seriously how on earth did that town, police, or her parents just let her be abducted? Im glad to hear your grandmother was able to pick up and live a good and better life. I understand his thieving ways gave him plenty of cash to attend to his and his familys needs, but WHO did he buy off to get repeated passes on his crimes? I agree wholeheartedly about the ridiculous Sundance show No One Saw a Thing. The producer had the story in mind before he even went to town. Any other comments on what other people have said, or what I said? I would love to hear from you . And neither of them had parents who were able to serve as any kind of good role model. City Confidential is a rip off of the book, and it annoys me to hear it cited for anything. I had a fascinating interview with her, though. I know this is from an old thread but I am very sorry to hear about your grandmother. According to Judge on Criminal, he managed this by finding out where members of the jury lived and placing rattlesnakes in their mailboxes as a threat. I find it AMAZING that someone like Ken Rex McElroy could even sire such a respectable son in the first place! He also said that the prosecuting attorney in the case was inexperienced and simply lost the case to McFaden and his slick talk. McElroy was charged with assault with intent to kill. btw will be reading the book soon. I decided at an early age to never go looking for trouble. Ken Jr. and Lisa were adopted together and were raised in a western state. Same with all the killers we see in courts.. their lame defense attorneys snivel that they had a rough child hood. Required fields are marked *. This is amazing, Just when you think theres nothing new a young man like Damien has the heart to come forward, Damien you are a strong person to admit this, after all that has happened, I commend you. Probably one of the reasons people really disliked Ken Rex. I agree the lawyer may have encouraged this. By this, I mean how does someone from poverty work the legal system to the point they can almost LITERALLY get away with murder? 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. In both his and Trenas situations, it was growing up poor and insecure that steered them in the direction they went in. They went to high school together. Shooting that animal was not cowardly except in a criminal mind. It seems Q Goslees family has experienced losses at an earlier age than I would have thought. Jeffrey thinks a lot about what it means to be Ken McElroys son. I find myself momentarily intimidated, in spite of what hes saying, in spite of all the good I know about him. I just finished reading your book, an excellent piece of work. True Story based on Ken McElroy, the town bully of Skidmore, MissouriBrian Dennehy as Len RowanCloris Leachman as Ruth WestermanMarcia Gay Harden as Adina Ro. The vast majority of people familiar with this case are quite happy with the outcome. My daddy was a quite man but very protective of his 5 daughters and wonderful role model to my one brother ! 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. And St Joseph, MO inherited some of the McElroy boys who seem to follow in their fathers footsteps. The girly-woman had made herself a cozy nest in the strong arms of macho man the rapist, the local brute, and became his breeding machine, profited from him and thus never fled. The reason the lack of resolution around McElroy's death is so noteworthy is because of the simple fact that the man was gunned down in the middle of the street in broad daylight in front of approximately 60 witnesses; and yet, to date, nobody has ever been charged with the crime. Dec. 15, 2010. May he rest in Peace. 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. Consisting of around 440 residents and a number of small family-run businesses, the farming town revolved around work ethic. Also, it should be noted that the other movie that came out in the 1980s about this story was told from Trena McElroys point of view rather than that of the townspeople. [6] Trena and her baby were placed in foster care at a home in Maryville, Missouri. Do you know where it can be found? Loved the original book, and would like to find the movie in DVD, but it doesnt seem to be anywhere. The ability to get away with bad behavior from being a knee high scoundrel, probably from his father having too many kids. SKIDMORE, Mo. We need the courage of 1981 Skidmore now more than ever. I just realized that you mentioned gary dowling as the second shooter in 2007 (epilogue). I am good friends with a nephew of Kens. Thank you for updating this story. Did she ever apologise to the people that she bullied? Thank you Harry for putting that in the book. I would have proudly stood behind the trigger that day back then and would do so now. McElroy controlled the whole town. All Rights Reserved, Slender Man stabbing, Waukesha, Wisconsin, Update: Police Release Dead Serial Killers Account of Murder of Samantha Koenig. He is a positive man with a great personality and has a charming demeanor about himself. Coincidentally, many of my relatives are at rest in Memorial Gardens within a stones throw from Ken McElroy. I take him to task in the book. To say he was a human being is laughably naive and the kind of thing stated by someone who engages in fantasy. I was seething reading These comments the justice system in that area was very corrupt why not pull a string that would actually be helpful and not harmful for a change? I truly know this because BELIEVE ME there should be a book about what I went through. Skidmore, itself, is going to die. Love ya Bud, Bobby. A few weeks after Jeffrey called me, I had received a phone call in the middle of the night from Sally, Jeffreys biological mother. Also, the entire town didnt burn the house, just like the entire town didnt shoot Ken. It was amazing the town folk found the restraint not to grant her Kens fate. [4], McElroy fathered more than 10 children with different women. Very little was done to protect women. Other than listing hers and Kens children among her survivors, it is her husband of almost 3 decades, Howard, and her longtime residence in Lebanon, MO, which are mentioned in the obituary. Whether this is the case or not, Ken McElroy terrorized the town he lived in, however one day retribution would end his reign. [3] McElroy was acquitted. 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. I think the children are who I feel the worst for. The entire town may not have shot the thug nor burned the house down, but its pretty clear that the entire town turned a blind eye for a reason. They terrorized an entire down. Stealing livestock, ambushing people. He was defended by Gene McFadin, who defended Ken. It sounds to me like some powerful people didnt want Ken to go to prison and so let him run rampant with impunity. Now intrigued, Jeffrey managed to locate the medical papers from a surgery he had had as child to repair the hernia. 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. I will keep abreast of any public speaking you may have in Colorado as I now reside in Littleton. You must be relted to the monster! I think that town had enough punishment all the years he terrorized them.. Even the worst people can sometimes act pleasantly. Theyre scattered about. Dad said he was relieved that he did not have to go through a full blown trial as he was fearful of Ken Rexs revenge/harassment of prior juries. . Bless the people who had to put up with these two monsters. Interesting comment.In later years I think Trena did come to see what happened as almost inevitable given Kens crimes. Of course by far the most referred to source was your book, which I have order but have not received yet. Vigilante justice ended up being the last resort for the townspeople. Stratton is still kicking up in Bethany. That lawyer should have been run out of town on a rail, or at least been reported to the bar. I wish I had found you when I was writing the book! In 1981, vigilantes in Skidmore, Mo., took justice into their own hands and killed town bully Ken Rex McElroy but no one was charged with the crime. Courts and their officers failed Dan McElroy when they didnt just keep him in jail. The show was a cheap hatchet job. That, alone, is testament to just how horrible a human being this man must have been. Born in Overland Park, Kansas, on June 1, 1934, McElroy was the fifteenth of Tony and Mabel McElroy's sixteen children. She didnt have the guts/strength to stand up to McElroy. The more notes I get about what a tremendous fellow Jeffrey is, the more fascinated I become with theories of the origin of the personality. I agree with you in many respects. It was an act of self-defense. Yes, we all go through changes in this journey called 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.

Harrow Council Building Regulations, Mandy Connell Leaving Koa, Articles K