How a Small Town Took Out the Town Bully And Covered It Up for 30 Years

In July 1981, the small town of Skidmore, Missouri, witnessed a shocking event that would remain shrouded in mystery for decades. Ken Rex McElroy, a notorious bully and criminal, was murdered in broad daylight, yet no one came forward to identify the killers. This article explores the chilling story of how an entire community banded together to eliminate a common threat and kept the secret for 30 years.

Key Takeaways

• Ken Rex McElroy was a notorious bully in Skidmore, Missouri.
• He was involved in numerous criminal activities but avoided serious consequences.
• His murder in 1981 was witnessed by many, yet no one spoke up.
• The case remains unsolved, highlighting the complexities of community justice.

The Rise of Ken Rex McElroy

Ken Rex McElroy was born in 1934 to a family of poor migrant farmers. By the age of 15, he had dropped out of school and quickly gained a reputation as a troublemaker. He was involved in cattle rustling and petty theft, stealing everything from alcohol to livestock. Despite numerous accusations, McElroy managed to evade convictions, often using intimidation tactics against those who dared to speak out.

A Troubling Relationship

McElroy’s life took a dark turn when he met Trena McCloud, who was only 12 years old at the time. Their relationship was marked by coercion and fear. McElroy would follow her school bus, demanding that the driver let him take her. Trena gave birth to their first child when she was just 14, and McElroy’s violent tendencies escalated. He even threatened Trena’s family, leading to a series of legal troubles that he ultimately avoided through manipulation.

A Pattern of Violence

Throughout his life, McElroy was indicted 21 times for various offenses, including assault and statutory rape. His ability to intimidate witnesses and evade justice made him a local terror. One notable incident involved McElroy shooting a farmer named Romaine Henry, who had confronted him about firing guns on his property. Despite the evidence, McElroy was acquitted, further emboldening him.

The Breaking Point

The tipping point came in 1980 when McElroy’s daughter was accused of stealing candy from a local store. In a bizarre twist, McElroy confronted the store owner, Ernest “Bo” Bowenkamp, and even offered to pay Bowenkamp’s wife to fight his own wife. This led to escalating tensions, culminating in McElroy shooting Bowenkamp in the neck. Although he was charged with attempted murder, he was only convicted of assault and released on bail.

The Day of Reckoning

On July 10, 1981, a hearing was scheduled to revoke McElroy’s bond. The townsfolk, fed up with his reign of terror, decided to take matters into their own hands. That day, McElroy returned to the D&G Tavern, where he was surrounded by over 30 residents. As he sat in his truck with Trena, shots rang out, striking him in the head and neck. He died at the scene, and no one called for help.

The Aftermath

Despite the numerous witnesses, no one came forward to identify the shooters. Authorities found shell casings from two different guns, indicating a coordinated effort to eliminate McElroy. A grand jury was convened, but no suspects were named, and the case went cold. The FBI even conducted over 100 interviews but found no evidence to charge anyone.

A Community’s Silence

The silence of Skidmore’s residents was deafening. Even Trena accused a local rancher of firing one of the fatal shots, but without corroboration, no charges were filed. In 1984, she filed a wrongful death suit against the county, but it was settled for a mere $17,000, with no admission of wrongdoing.

Legacy of a Bully

The story of Ken Rex McElroy became a cautionary tale, chronicled in the book “In Broad Daylight” by Harry N. McLean. The case raised questions about vigilante justice and the lengths to which a community might go to protect itself from a common enemy. Trena eventually remarried and moved away, passing away in 2012, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with the dark history of Skidmore.

The murder of Ken Rex McElroy remains one of the most bizarre and unsolved cases in American history, illustrating the complexities of justice and community dynamics. The people of Skidmore made a pact that day, one that would haunt them for years to come, as they chose silence over accountability.