New Billboards for Branson launched in St Joseph, Missouri
#1 w/s Belt Hwy .1 mile s/o Sherman
#2 w/s Belt Hwy .2 mile s/o Gene Field
- Justice For Branson Kayne Perry -
"When the world says, 'Give up', Hope whispers, 'Try it one more time"Browsing Posts tagged Branson Perry
Tue May 19, 2009
Volunteers from North Carolina traveled to Nodaway County to assist local authorities in the continuing search for local missing man Branson Perry this weekend.
The group included the Community United Effort (CUE) Center for Missing Persons of Wilmington, N.C., Sgt. Sheldon Lyon with the Missouri State Highway Patrol said.
“An area was looked at with the help of a group from North Carolina that specializes with search dogs,” Lyon said. “These dogs searched an area in western Nodaway County.”
Beyond that however, the Missouri State Highway Patrol doesn’t disclose the details of ongoing investigations, Lyon said.
Branson Perry went missing from his father’s home in Skidmore on April 11, 2001. Twenty years old at the time, Perry was cleaning the house with a friend when he took some jumper cables to his father’s shed. He hasn’t been seen since.
Neither the Missouri State Highway Patrol or Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department have been able to close the case.
“This is really unfortunate situation. A young man has been missing for so long. His family just has no closure on this at all,” Nodaway County Sheriff Darren White said. “The really sad part about it is, is as time passes it just becomes more and more difficult to resolve it.
“Here we are, all these years later, still searching.”
Anyone with any information is encouraged to call the Missouri State Highway Patrol at (816) 387-2345
The History of Skidmore,Missouri-
02/27/2010
No comments
The History of Skidmore-
Grisly killing adds to town’s notoriety
Theft of fetus is latest violence in Mo. community
- How, wonder the people still left in this small town getting smaller, could such horrible things happen in a place they treasure for its friendly rural charms?
First came the notorious “Skidmore bully,” Ken Rex McElroy( photo at left), whose death made national headlines. He had so terrorized the town that when somebody gunned him down in broad daylight in 1981, nobody would
admit to seeing a thing.
Then on Oct. 16, 2000, Wendy Gillenwater( photo at left) was stomped to death by her boyfriend. Locals take comfort in knowing the killer is serving life in prison.
The next year, a 20-year-old resident,Branson Perry vanished. Many think he was murdered.
And now the police cars and media crews are back. On Thursday, somebody killed 23-year-old Bobbi Jo Stinnett,
( photo at left) butchering her body to pull out the little girl who was due next month to be Stinnett’s firstborn. Lisa M. Montgomery, 36, of Melvern, Kan., has been charged.
“Why do they all come to Skidmore to do this?” decadelong resident Pauline Dragoo asked on Friday, her 91st birthday. “I’m going to move out of this town.”
Other residents see the violent history as random and inexplicable.
“It’s just a freak thing,” said Roland Langford, who works as a custodian in nearby Maryville. “It’s a real nice town. People get along. That’s what you like about it here — the people.”
Skidmore’s crime rates are enviably low most years, but residents concede that the town’s reputation is a grisly one.
Travel somewhere and mention that you live in Skidmore and faces usually show a blank. But mention the McElroy case — the basis for books, movies, and TV documentaries that still run on cable — and there is a light of recognition.
“People look at you funny,” said M. C. Derr, the town’s postmaster.
Skidmore is a collection of small houses and mostly shuttered businesses at the junction of Missouri 113 and Route DD. Its Little People’s Park has four working swings, one small bench, and a basketball backboard with no rim.
With only about 330 residents — estimated in 2003 for the census (the postmaster and others think the total is closer to 250) — Skidmore has lost more than a quarter of its population since July 10, 1981, when the killing of McElroy, 47, drew nationwide fascination.
Dozens of witnesses are thought to have kept quiet all these years after someone settled an old score with McElroy, who had a history of threatening his neighbors, chasing girls, and pilfering livestock.
Burly and hard-drinking, McElroy was free on bond after a second-degree assault conviction when he was shot in his truck outside Skidmore’s only bank. The townspeople clammed up. The national media streamed in to report on the town’s “vigilantes,” which many locals considered a slur, citing a legal system that kept a belligerent McElroy on the streets.
Even sightseers drove through. A TV movie followed. Just months ago, an independent filmmaker from Connecticut released “Without Mercy,” a graphic dramatization of the McElroy story that won a top prize at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival.
“What’s happened now is going to be shock for them all over again,” said Harry MacLean, a Colorado author. His book “In Broad Daylight,” an account of the McElroy case, reached number two on the New York Times bestseller list.
The domestic violence that claimed Gillenwater in 2000 drew little media attention. But a year later the town was tied to another macabre mystery that remains unsolved.
Branson Perry, 20, disappeared in 2001, never to be seen again.
Branson was last seen by his friend on April 11, 2001 at approximately 3:00 p.m. They were cleaning house for his father before he came home from the hospital. He told his friend he was putting jumper cables in the shed & would be right back. He has not been seen since. He left behind his van and personal belongings. The jumper cables weren’t in the shed, but a few days later, they were placed there by an unknown person. Last seen at his home at 304 West Oak Street, Skidmore, MO.
Still, overall, crime is perennially low in Skidmore and surrounding Nodaway County. The county’s crime rate in 2003 was less than half the statewide average, according to the Missouri Department of Public Safety. Authorities recorded only 23 violent offenses, mostly for aggravated assault, in the county of nearly 22,000 people
“They’re quiet people . . . mostly farmers who all knew each other since kindergarten,” said MacLean, who while doing research for his book in the mid-1980s lived with a family outside Skidmore.
“Even then, they had sort of an ‘us vs. the world’ approach” to outsiders, he said.
“As in any rural town, I think a lot of people there feel isolated,” said Horton, Kan., Police Chief Dick Luzier, who as a Nodaway County sheriff’s deputy investigated McElroy’s killing. “When bad stuff happens, some don’t feel they have anybody they can turn to — not even to authorities — because they may feel threatened by retaliation,” as many felt when McElroy stalked the streets.
A place typical of the rural terrain of northwest Missouri, Skidmore is a town few people would move to, even though a home sells there for about $30,000, according to US Census data.
The nearest hospital is 15 miles away. Skidmore children are bused to school in either Maitland or Graham. The town’s elementary school closed three years ago.
That was about the time the bank branch closed, as did Mom’s Cafe — the place outside of which McElroy died. The cafe was converted to the Newton Hall Community Building.
This fall marked the first time anyone can remember that the fall Pumpkin Show was canceled. Not enough people were interested.
But the town still puffs up its chest about its Freedom Festival — a tribute to veterans and patriotism that draws people from 20 states every year the weekend after Labor Day. Heather French Henry, Miss America 2000, showed up in 2002. Light-heavyweight prizefighter Rob Calloway of St. Joseph came this year.
“This is a really great little town,” said Carla Wetzel, a chief organizer of the Freedom Festival and the mother of school-age girls who plans to lock her doors more often.
“We moved back here because it was a safe place. And it is a safe place.”
Wetzel got calls on Friday from Freedom Festival visitors from Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Florida, all sending condolences to the town.
On KMBZ radio in Kansas City, drive-time talk-show host Russ Johnson wondered aloud, “Maybe there’s something in the water there in Skidmore.”
But residents rejected the idea that anything more than coincidence explained Skidmore’s violent history.
“It’s not a matter of where they lived,” said JoAnn Stinnett, Branson Perry’s grandmother and a distant relative of Bobbi Jo Stinnett. “All this just happened to hit here. It could have happened anywhere.”
QUITMAN, Mo. – At least two investigators from the Missouri Highway Patrol, joined by Nodaway County Sheriff’s deputies, searched a rural area near Quitman Sunday for possible clues to the disappearance of Branson Perry.
The northwest Missouri teenager vanished in 2001. He left his home on foot and indicated he was taking a pair of jumper cables to a shed that sat on a lot adjacent to the residence. It is unknown if he ever arrived.
The Highway Patrol in St. Joseph isn’t commenting on what led to Sunday’s search or whether new evidence may have surfaced in the long unsolved case.
Witnesses tell NBC Action News that a canine search team was also involved in the search of an area off Road 240 in Nodaway County.
Search for Branson Perry heats up -
02/27/2010
No comments
Search for Perry heats up
by St. Joseph News-Press
Monday, May 18, 2009
MARYVILLE, Mo. — A team of searchers from the North Carolina based organization, CUE Center For Missing Persons were brought into western Nodaway County to use specialized equipment and dogs as part of a two-day search for Branson Perry.
Mr. Perry was reported missing April 11, 2001. He was last seen at his home in Skidmore, Mo. There is a $20,000 reward for information leading to the whereabouts of Mr. Perry and/or the arrest and conviction of the person and/or persons responsible for his disappearance.
This is an ongoing investigation for the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol who have never closed the books on this case, said Sgt. Sheldon Lyon, a spokesman for Troop H.
Investigators were believed to be searching an area in and around Missouri Highway 113 and 240th Road in western Nodaway County on Saturday and Sunday. Mr. Lyon declined to comment on the results of the investigation. Anyone having information concerning this case, please contact the Highway Patrol at 816-387-2345.
CUE Center Road To Remember Tour 2008
02/27/2010
No comments
A national missing persons tour makes a stop in the Midland Empire.
Aug 30, 2008
The nationwide road tour, called ‘On the Road to Remember,’ was created to generate new interest in cold cases of missing people throughout the nation.
“It gives you hope. It gives you a sense that my son hasn’t been forgotten,” says missing person, Branson Perry’s mother, Becky Klino.”
After many years, missing persons and homicide cases seem to fade from the public’s radar, but for families and friends who are left behind, the nightmare continues every minute of every day.
For Cue Center Executive Dir., Monica Caison, who’s leading the caravan of volunteers, the tour is about hope.
“We just hope that through our awareness campaign we’re doing cross country, someone will come forward and give information to investigators,” she says.
‘On the Road to Remember’ left Wilmington, North Carolina August 21 and will travel more than 5,000 miles through 17 states to raise public awareness.
Through it, hundreds of volunteers will take part in various legs of the tour, which includes 30 rally stops, like the one Friday in Craig, where families with missing loved ones just want to keep hope alive.
To date, the Cue Center, the tour’s sponsor, has assisted more than 8,000 families in need.
The Cue Center is supported entirely by donations and active volunteers.
10/04/08- Benefit Helps Solve Murder & Missing Person Cases
Benefit Helps Solve Murder & Missing Person Cases
10/04/08
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – If you know something, say something. That’s the message from local parents at a fundraiser for murdered and missing children.
Dozens joined together in Kansas City Saturday afternoon for the 65-mile benefit ride and poker run.
Organizers say the third annual ride drew the biggest crowd yet.
Parents welcomed the support but say nothing can take away their pain.
“In a way every day is a bad day because you just want to make up one day and not miss them so much and that’s never going to happen,” said Misty Kirwan.
Misty’s son, 21-year-old Chris Bartholomew, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Westport last spring. But he wasn’t the target.
“His killers are still walking the streets and nobody’s talking,” she said.
Becky Klin0 hasn’t seen her son for seven and a half years. Branson Perry was last seen outside his father’s home in Skidmore, Missouri.
“Branson had a heart of gold,” said Becky.
Knowing Branson could be alive keeps Becky going.
“Chances are real slim and that’s the hardest thing, but you have to keep believing.”
Branson’s stepfather drives a special van everyday. It has a picture of his son on one side and Chris Bartholomew on the other.
It keeps their faces fresh in the public eye. It’s also a reminder that a senseless crime can happen to anyone.
“You don’t know what’s behind somebody’s face. You don’t know what’s going to happen when you drive down the street. And it’s scary,” said Becky.
Branson Perry reward recently doubled to $20,000. Chris Bartholomew’s reward is $30,000.
Missing Persons Cases Get New Attention-
CUE Center for Missing Persons
8/06/2007
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A North Carolina-based group is coming to Missouri this month to help raise awareness about several local missing persons cases.
The CUE Center for Missing Persons is going on a national tour, and scheduled to make numerous appearances throughout Missouri in August; distributing a trail of DVD’s, press kits and valuable information concerning 110 missing persons and six unsolved homicide cases.
The 2007 tour, On the Road to Remember will depart from Wilmington, NC on August 21, and will end more than 5,299 miles later returning the volunteers to their home state North Carolina, on September 2.
Hundreds of volunteers will take part in various legs of the tour, which will include 30 rally stops, traveling thru 17 states in an effort to promote a public awareness.
Missouri – RALLY STOPS
Family & Friends of Missing – Branson Perry – August 29 at 7:30 pm
Craig, Missouri 64437
Family of Missing – Jeremy Alex (Grand Rally Honoree Stop) – August 30 at 3:00 pm
Tom Watkins Park 2100 West High
Springfield, Missouri 65803
Family of Missing – Bianca Noel Piper – August 28 at 5:30 pm
(Intersection) McIntosh Hill Road & Hwy 79
Foley, Missouri 63347
Family of Missing – Amanda Jones – August 29 at 10:00 am
Jefferson County Sheriff Office 510 1st Street
Hillsboro, Missouri 63050
Families of Missing – Kara Kopetsky & Jesse Ross – August 30 at 10:30 am
Residence 15706 Lawrence Avenue
Belton, Missouri 64012
Branson Perry Disappeared In April 2001
POSTED: 2:30 pm CDT June 10, 2009
UPDATED: 9:16 pm CDT June 10, 2009
QUITMAN, Mo. –
The search for a man, who disappeared eight years ago, led investigators to a northwest Missouri farm field this week.
Branson Perry, 20, disappeared in April 2001 from his Skidmore home. He said he was going to put away jumper cables and hasn’t been seen since.
Recently, authorities said they received a credible tip in the case that led them to Quitman.
KMBC’s Peggy Breit reported that investigators started digging a 25-foot hole in the field on Tuesday.
“I know if it was somebody who belonged to me, I’d want them to dig,” said Darrell, who owns the property where authorities were searching.
Authorities stopped the dig on Wednesday afternoon when they did not find anything to advance the case.
For more information about Perry, visit bransonperry.com.
Previous Stories:
- February 12, 2009: Playing Cards Feature Missing Skidmore Man
- January 11, 2008: Mom Continues Searching For Missing Son
- April 10, 2007: Mom Of Missing Man Pleads For Info In Case
