No sympathy for KM or his wife. It is entertaining seeing what are no doubt urban elitist pontificating, condemning, and throwing around terms like white trash even grammar-shaming while judging the people of 1981 Skidmore with your 2021 morals. She moved on to have a wonderful life, A man who worshiped the ground she walked on for nearly 30 years, 5 more girls who called her Mom and so many grandchildren and great grandchildren than I can even rack up in my brain. Glad for her and respect her privacy. In a place where he doesnt know EVERYTHING about EVERYONE, they take it down a notch. His behavior with women, however, was an entirely different matter. The legal system failed them and they had taken all they could. I am almost finished with the book, & am shocked at everything that Ken McElroy got away with! He was quite helpful. Shell casings from at least two different guns were found at the scene, fired from somewhere within that crowd of 60-odd people. Trena McElroy Passed Away | Harry N. MacLean Farming is damn hard work. 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. Loved the original book, and would like to find the movie in DVD, but it doesnt seem to be anywhere. No one lives where his house used to be, but his brother Tim lives in house not far away. McElroy denied he was at the scene. He wS sent away. I'd read In Broad Daylight a long time ago. Stratton is still kicking up in Bethany. Anyone find out why the judge was so lacking? As McElroy got into his pickup truck with his wife Trena McCloud, shots suddenly rang out. But I am so pleased to hear that trena and her children were able to over come what he put them thru she must have been a amazing women. The family appeared not to be given any help at all. Much to consider and assess here, even after so many years. Im sure the only regret those 45+ people have is that they didnt do it sooner. 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. fuck that guy may he burn in hell. Mouse was a good looking teenager but he had a violent streak. Others have identified the houses location on Google Earth. Im sure she felt anger & betrayal, along with what that kind of abuse does to your psyche. They had 10 children. The Sheriff said they are still a threat to the community and that new leads had been developed. May he rest in Peace. Someone involved in that might act in a toxic manner. Its interesting to learn more about the kids and how they grew up. Any new on them? You can see link to his father, which will list all of Kens siblings that are dead. Coming in waves, for each victim both of them brutally tortured. Im heartened to read of Trenas reformation, and saddened that her life was cut so short. 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. Oh- are we going to relegate Trena to Sainthood? Before then he just knew he had been adopted. That lawyer should have been run out of town on a rail, or at least been reported to the bar. I currently work with him in a Behavioral/Learning Disorders School in Kansas City. I decided at an early age to never go looking for trouble. Ive followed the story since the killing of Ken Rex, watched 60 minutes, read the book, and watched and read everything else including the latest 6 part series about Ken and Skidmore. Lori met her and they have corresponded off and on over the years. Good riddance. It proved where her loyalties were when she sued the town after McElroys death. The law fails. I always felt very sorry for her. The sleeziest lawyer can only do so much for a thug if the judges and prosecutors are doing hat they should. My daddy was a quite man but very protective of his 5 daughters and wonderful role model to my one brother ! She was lucky that the second bullet didnt strike her. I know some were farmers there for years it was home yada. Havent got to the but Im proud of the community that took this into their hands. I told her I had spoken with her son a few days earlier. Thats the mentality of many bullies. It took a few years of us knowing each other before I discovered the connection. I think that town had enough punishment all the years he terrorized them.. Missouri-based journalist Steve Booher described the attitude of some townspeople as "he needed killing. We were teens when we met and became best friends while attending UMKC. I guess I should wait to read but just so fascinated by this story, I at one point felt sad because he caught the shots from behind , not down playing anything he did but my human emotions just got the best of me I guesskeep up the good work. No one who was around when this coward terrorized them will ever talk. Do you know where it can be found? I spent many summers at my grandparents farm in Winigan, MO. But I also decided to not live my life even for a minute being afraid of another man. I truely believe Jeffery has found his calling in helping others and, although I will not speculate, feel that his history plays an important role in what he does. Hows Kriss Goslee? i feel sorry for all the women he terrorized for all the years. I dont feel bad for Trina one bit. Even WORSE. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 1952: Ken McElroy marries his first wife Oleta. When Jeffrey turns his head that way, in his eyes is a streak of coldness that is remarkable in its intensity. 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. But the way the parents let things happen, the abused child could evolve into the accomplice of a criminal in adulthood. The Town That KILLED a Bully in Broad Daylight | Ken Rex McElroy Joshua Roberts 64.8K subscribers Join Subscribe 666 Share 22K views 11 months ago #trucrime #thehistoryof Here is the story of a. The bottom line is, without witnesses (which McElroy threatened and intimidated so that they wouldnt testify), any conviction was unlikely. 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. "Thank god he's dead. Really enjoyed your book. 1940 living with parents in Green, Nodaway, Missouri [2] Tony Mcelroy Head Male 50 Missouri I am not from Missouri, but I have been fascinated by this story since I saw the movie in the 80s. I dont think they will be. Thank you in advance for clarifying. There is a certain defense to self defense when it comes to terrorism. My condolences to you and your family.? 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 just recently read the story and I have to say how sad the whole thing is. A trial would have cleared the air, left people without having to keep more secrets out of fear, and maybe Skidmore wouldnt have turned into a place more dangerous than Kabul per capita. Thats lousy that they didnt even have the decency to credit you. His parents, Tony and Mabel, were humble sharecroppers that could probably not have coped with so many offspring. I only know of Juarez, Ken Jr, tony and Jeff , such an amazing story, I am Juarez McElroys son Damien and i think your storys a lil.well..i guess not fully informed on the whole lifestyle of my Grandpa. McElroys house back in 1980. https://vintageaerial.com/photos/missouri/nodaway/1980/ONO/29/17. Thank you, Harry. Ive met your uncle, Jeff. You made a non-point just then. As a survivor and advocate for women who have escaped or are involved in domestic violence- I can only hope some of the people commenting never go through it themselves and hopefully- instead of immediately judging someone- do some research . It lost me when they tried to claim Skidmore was evil and the town died because of it. 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. No matter how many years go by and how well things seem to be going for these children, I have to wonder how all this has really scarred them. When you grow up like that, I really do believe that it stunts your empathy. Thanks for your research! Doesnt change anything. She must have been an amazing woman moving on from this. The figure sitting across from me at the small table only barely resembled the young man I had met almost twenty years ago. It has since been renamed, but at the moment I cant recall it. Cant blame the kids for the fathers sins. 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. Im just sorry, her life started out like it did. But Ken may have done wrong, but he was a human being too, & looks like someone who knew something would have had the heart to come forward to help out in the matter. Thanks for the post. This man had such a shameful history of crime to his name that he was definitely no saint. There is a photo of Trena with Alice in the book, and an obituary photo of Trena in an earlier post on this blog. I pictured Del Clement and the other men as middle aged while reading the book, but then realized that Del was only a few years older than Trena when Ken was shot. Harry. A few months later McElroy was killed and I saw his picture through various news outlets and realized who the guy in the Timeout was. God bless her families, that they my know Him and their lives will be full of blessings. 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. How many times had I heard that look described by the residents of Skidmore? He was a young man. I feel he abused the legal system to the point, he should have been disbarred. Harry, my name is Summer Gross. They were poor, they had come from Kansas, he kind of grew up resenting those he considered to be more successful. And Im here to say that I fully believe 100% that he was not a bad man. The only way to take down a bully is to confront him and meet force with force including deadly force if need be. McElroy divorced Alice and married Trena in order to escape charges of statutory rape, to which she was the only witness. He had to have been only about 15 or 16 at the time. I am curious as to what hold McElroy had over them when he was so terrified of jail but was allowed to continue to operate as he did for so long. 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. "[13], McElroy was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri. She was drunk and angry. Ken married first name McElroy. I know I am really late to the party, however, I read through some of these comments. People have tried to figure out if that is McElroy by the car. Courts and their officers failed Dan McElroy when they didnt just keep him in jail. Even today if you google any of the names of the children you will find hateful things written by people. Of her three kids, only Juarez has had difficulties with the law; assault, possession of marijuana, possession of a shotgun, violation of probation, etc. Why does Tim work in a pizza parlor ? Plain and simple, Trena was a victim here she was 12 years old when Ken Rex got his hands on her. I met several of them, including Wilma, before her husband chased me off the farm with a gun. Ill talk to him as time goes along. I was 20 years of age in 1981 and living south of The River in Warrensburg when I learned of all of this. Now, DNA evidence could have convicted McElroy of statutory rape when a 16 year old gave first gave birth, supporting her testimony. Law enforcement and the legal system failed. This accident led to severe chronic pain and possible brain damage that plagued McElroy throughout his life, which some townspeople believe attributed to or exacerbated his violent behavior and erratic temper. His murder is still technically unsolved. I had no idea Trena had passed. Where was the law when Trenas parents needed them, where was the law when Romain Henry was shot and Ken Rex paying witnesses to lie and paying jurors to sway a Not Guilty vote. I met her but we had a falling out. I really enjoyed this book so much so, that I just read it a 2nd time! Here are 13 things you need to know about Ken McElroy and his death before you tune into No One Saw A Thing, premiering this Thursday, Aug. 1, pulled from sources including Harry MacLean, author of the non-fiction book In Broad Daylight about the McElroy case, an episode of the podcast Criminal, and an episode of the Buzzfeed series Unsolved. The whole shut up or be shut up is now a pervasive presence in whats left of the place. I mean, come on, think for yourselves! Tony , I am your aunt Tina your dad is my brother . I, of course, never met McElroy, but Ive heard the descriptions and Ive seen the pictures. Harry, It takes a lot to reverse that type of brainwashing and Im grateful she found someone to treat her that way she truly deserved. He would come to a bar called Blues Brew Town carrying a gun and the bar would empty out. Lots of pictures of the parade. Born in Overland Park, Kansas, on June 1, 1934, McElroy was the fifteenth of Tony and Mabel McElroy's sixteen children. Weighing in at approximately 270 pounds with bushy black sideburns, McElroy held the entire . Any other comments on what other people have said, or what I said? Then finding a lawyer who just saw the cash, and let that dictate his moral limits. We all heard the stories about Ken Rexs rein of terror which started before my family moved to Oregon, MO in 1978 and ended with his shooting. He is all the things his father was not, god bless him! I believe the townsfolk honestly had no choice. McCloud identified D&G owner Del Clement as one of the shooters, but Clement was never officially charged with the crime, Mental Floss writes. Agreed as well. Sharon had children in 1961, '63, '64 and '65, and Sally in '61, '63 and '64. Cell phones taking photographs, calling police would have made a big difference back then. You can make the case that shooting McElroy in the back was a cowardly act. Trena did not profit from the movie. Theres not a day that goes by I dont think of her. Im so happy and glad that you wrote about your grandma. Ken Rex deserved everything that happened to him and his killers deserved jail, too. Sheriff Estes instructed the assembled group not to get into a direct confrontation with McElroy, but instead seriously consider forming a neighborhood watch program. Is Richard Stratton still living & living in Kansas City, & how bout Dave Dunbar? Additional charges were filed against McElroy.[7]. They will always be associated with this tragedy, and they have to live with the harassment of others. LOL. He has not the slightest feel of violence about him. 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). Particularly when you think about how young she was when he got ahold of her. He raped her , beat her, burned her folks house to the ground, told her he would kill her little brothers and sisterThis girl was a old beat woman at 16. Some in Nodaway County, some in southwestern Missouri, and others in faraway places like Pennsylvania. Timeline | McElroy Was Treena her mother? But, dont defend that nasty man. Absolutely true Jack. ..so you might try to argue but there was one person who had no excuse, that was clearly at fault. I wish I had found you when I was writing the book! One of these women was 24-year-old. I plan to write a rebuttal to the show it was all inference and speculation and wishful thinking. The show was a cheap hatchet job. stubbornly in the dark. Hi Harry, I read your book In Broad Daylight 4 years ago.I want to say it was an excellent book, Thanks for all your hard work!! Ken was 18 and Oleta was 16. . Previous Chapter 1 2 3 . The dry weeks hoping the crops would make it. I just finished reading your book, an excellent piece of work. Ken McElroy was a functional illiterate. The circumstances around the shooting, which took place in July of 1981 in the small town of Skidmore, Missouri, help to shed light on all of these mysteries, while leaving the central question who actually killed him? Heres what I was able to put together. Im not sure if Ken physically abused her but I wouldnt be a bit surprised to learn that he did. We are still very good friends and I still try to get whatever stories I can from them. Nothing was ever done. I flew Sally into our town before I moved to her town. I have heard about this man for many years growing up. A history of abuse does not excuse Trenas actions, it only makes sense of them. He really didnt have a reason. Enjoyed your book greatly and so have others I have passed it on to who have no connection to the area which I do. Thank you! and after the debacle died down, did any of his kids get treated fair? McElroy left many children, and some of them were extremely unhappy with the way their father was killed and the way he was portrayed in my book In Broad Daylight. So similar to Skidmore. You got a beef with a man you settle it with that man. In the nature versus nurture debate, this story fits on the nurture side of the spectrum. I am sure their memories are nothing like the book and I hope they hold onto the happy memories they have. She was born in 1965 and died in June, 2020. Or it could be the Otha Embry case, but I dont think a jury was ever seated in that case. I researched every aspect of the family as thoroughly as I could and tried to be as fair as possible. She was bullied by this devious, evil, selfish man, completely dominated, and she made mistakes. You could write a great survival book about her to help victims of domestic violence. 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. Hate to say it but of course his family members will defend him and claim he was the best grandpa/whatever but even if he wasnt convicted of anything, his activities are well known and well documented. I just finished your book, its an excellent read. Thank you! Then later the lawsuit , she shouldve been grateful after all her & ken did that they just put a bullet into the back of his head on July 10th,1981 & let her ass walk away from the scene . Agreed. That being said, I cant sort out the wives and children of Ken. Unfortunately, those kinds of attorneys exist to this very day. The Most Hated Man In Town. The story of Ken McElroy | by Chelsea Rose However, Trena McElroy got rewarded settlement money for a wrongful death lawsuit she filed against three of the townspeople for his death.>>>>Click onto http://www.talkguests.com/mcelroy.htm. Sorry, I havent lived in St. Joe in 20 years and didnt realize I had reversed that until I re-read my post just now. This society punishes girls and women who are victims for the horrors they have endured. Trena was young and brainwashed by McElroy and fearful for her life. Good riddance to both of them. She was trash, like her bully husband. Missouri is not like NYC firearms are easy to own and Im sure even in 81 carry permits easy to obtain. A few weeks after Jeffrey called me, I had received a phone call in the middle of the night from Sally, Jeffreys biological mother. Do you know where abouts? Its hard to feel sympathy for her when his bullying made her feel strong and secure. He spent time in Denver with his new bride, Oleta, but returned to Missouri because he couldn't hold a job. i lived in mound city from 1978 to 1996. i heard about the story when i was old enough to understand. Then throw in the other factors that are affecting all small towns and farms in America and you have the answer. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Sixteen days after Trena gave birth, both she and Alice fled to Trena's parents' house. I just finished re-reading the 2nd version of the book. I can almost bet they both have got there asses kicked by the female gender a time or two..wish I could have seen when karma dry humped them with a cactus in the [emailprotected]&.. (right girls) lol. Realize you have something disgusting deep within you because of those horrid pieces of shit. I knew your grandmother and her family and yes she was a beautiful normal girl that is until Ken decided she belong to him I remember the last time I seen her she was pregnant setting in the swing talking to my sister crying , I remember him stalking her as she was with her family visiting mine , I remember her families house being burned to the ground, 40 + years and I still remember the fear. No investigation, no real police presence. , I met Jeff in the fall of 1984. Did she ever apologise to the people that she bullied? Im curious, also, as to where that thugs house once stood. She was a girl who became corrupted and was abused, no doubt. Ken McElroy and the Vigilantes of Skidmore, Missouri Not once do you hear of him going toe to toe with anyone, just threats and guns and of course beating on women, which is a classic sign of a coward. Bless the rave souls who had the guts to put that man to death. Ken McElroy would flip in his grave if he knew one of his children graduated from college and is a successful teacher of special ed kids. McElroy dumped Oleta after a few years and married a 15-year-old girl, Sharon. [3] McElroy was acquitted. I understand that was probably the case. Where was the law when KR was intimidating everyone including the law and their family and most importantly, where was the law for Trena? They are both burning in hell fire ? Theres no way anyone could have been convicted of anything, given the evidence of what McElroy had done to Skidmore. She had to do whatever he told her to to survive! His bloodline should end. Required fields are marked *. I know this is from an old thread but I am very sorry to hear about your grandmother. Honestly the person I have the biggest problem with is the defense attorney for McElroy. She doesnt get a free pass because of it. he knew when and how to control himself. Kenneth Rex McElroy "Bully" Murder - Getty Images Trena Louise Williams, daughter of Ronald and Treva Peters McNeeley, was born January 24, 1957, in Horton, Kansas. And I call he to imply there is some sort collective evil there. 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. Though Ken McElroy was killed in broad daylight and in front of at least 30 witnesses, subsequent criminal investigations failed to identify any suspects. I knew he covered a lot of territory, but I didnt know he had made it to Lawrence. GRANDDAUGHTER, your grandma was the sweetest person I could ever find. Then divorced, and I think remarried again. I will find a picture of her and post. She made that choice of her own. Thank you for your service in the special needs field. In between his many felonies and intimidation tactics, McElroy fathered ten children with different women and married four times. 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. In both his and Trenas situations, it was growing up poor and insecure that steered them in the direction they went in. 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. Thanks for writing such a terrific book. There wasn't much parental supervision, but McElroy had a knack for taking care of himself. Kenneth Rex McElroy "Bully" Murder - Getty Images Also, did you ever meet any of Ken s siblings, cause he had a lot? It might be worth something to a fanatic if it still exists. This is nonthing more than a book writer who got made rich and well known for publishing this crap!!! Growing up poor MEANS NOTHING. The town was harmed by poor law enforcement, Ken McElroys behaviour and its own fear. only if you are from that area could you understand what happened. Getting them to to talk about it like pulling teeth. Although some townspeople reported him for violating the terms of his bail by carrying a weapon, McFadin was able to delay the proceedings. It would be very informative to hear what you have to say about your Grandpa, and I will certainly post whatever you write. Furious that McElroy was drinking instead of getting locked up, the irate citizens of Skidmore held an impromptu town hall meeting in the American Legion Hall across the street from the D&G to discuss how to handle the McElroy situation. I completely believe that Trena was the wonderful woman that you say she was. He typically preyed upon children from poor, uneducated families. Jeffrey hopes that some good will come out of all this, but hes not sure what it might be. I havent seen you since you was 2 . Among the many facts known about the Ken McElroy shooting, the one thing that's not known is who actually pulled the trigger. There have been 2 tornadoes & a fire hit the town in my grandmothers memory. Watched No One Saw A Thing as well. Perhaps she was plain and nave but she was always aware of what Ken was doing; every day of it. When she was at her worst it is clear to any thinking person that she was possessed by that human demon through relentless abuse. Definitely Im sorry to have to say this but ken McElroy got his just deserts. Its always been one of my favorite scenes in the book, but few others mention it. I just finished the book of Ken McElroys life and death. The demise of Ken Rex, is one that will continue to be debated, for years to come. Ken obviously was mentally ill and never got help. All of them are aware of who their father was. My condolences to her family. At a certain point, she has to be held responsible for those actions. It was an act of self-defense. On the morning of July 10th, 1981, shots rang out in the small town of Skidmore, Missouri. Although McElroy is long gone, his reputation looms ever-present, even over a series of nonrelated disturbing events, including the death of Wendy Gillenwater, stomped to death by her boyfriend in 2000, the disappearance of Branson Perry in 2001, and the brutal 2004 murder of Bobbie Jo Stinnett, whose live baby was carved from her body.