St Joe News.Net- St Joseph, Mo.
Friday, April 11, 2008
SKIDMORE, Mo. — Becky Klino always keeps her missing son Branson Perry close to heart, even as she prepares fundraisers for his reward fund.
Today marks the seventh anniversary of Mr. Perry’s disappearance from Skidmore, a mystery that law enforcement officials have yet to unravel yet continue to actively investigate.
Family and friends will help Ms. Klino arrange fundraisers Saturday on the former Skidmore school grounds. She says simply staying busy with the events — such as an auction — keeps her from dwelling on the case. But thoughts of her son never go far away.
“I think it’s been a little bit easier,” Ms. Klino said of the anniversary. “My mind’s been preoccupied … It’s been emotional, yes, but it’s been busy.”
Nodaway County Sheriff Ben Espey reported no new activity on the investigation for the past year. Mr. Perry disappeared April 11, 2001, from his Skidmore home when he was 20 years old. He left the residence on foot and was taking a pair of jumper cables to a shed on a lot adjacent to the family home.
“I wish we had some new leads,” Mr. Espey said.
Ms. Klino said she is usually unfamiliar with any activity in the case, but said she does occasionally speak with Mr. Espey.
A $10,000 cash reward is offered, along with a $25,000 recording contract at a Nashville studio. The fundraisers seek to increase the cash reward.
“They (investigators) think it definitely could be a help” by enlarging the fund, Ms. Klino said.
Another weekend event seeks to shine awareness on Mr. Perry’s case. A race car team will field an entry this season in Montgomery County, Mo., near St. Louis. The team will feature Mr. Perry’s photo on one of its mini-stock cars. The effort is a partnership with The Shawn Hornbeck Foundation, named after the missing eastern Missouri youth who was found alive last year in Kirkwood, Mo.
“I think it’s an awesome avenue of getting the information out,” Ms. Klino said.
The fundraisers will include item giveaways and the auction, set to begin at 4 p.m. A motorcycle poker run will begin at Terrible’s St. Jo Frontier Casino at 11 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. at Skidmore Park. Refreshments will be available.
Any money not used for the reward fund will help provide scholarships for Nodaway-Holt County senior students in Mr. Perry’s memory.
