35 Facts About Ken Mcelroy

The Early Life of Ken McElroy

Ken Rex McElroy's early years set the stage for his notorious reputation. Born into a life of poverty and instability, his upbringing was anything but ordinary.

1. Ken McElroy was born on June 1, 1934, in Skidmore, Missouri.
2. He was the 15th of 16 children born to Tony and Mabel McElroy, a poor migrant tenant-farming couple.
3. His family moved frequently between Kansas and the Ozarks before settling outside of Skidmore.
4. McElroy dropped out of school in the eighth grade, marking the beginning of his delinquent behavior.

Physical Presence and Intimidation

Ken McElroy's imposing physical presence was matched by his aggressive actions, which terrorized the small town of Skidmore.

5. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 270 pounds, McElroy was physically intimidating.
6. He quickly established a local reputation as a cattle rustler, small-time thief, and womanizer.
7. McElroy's criminal record was extensive, including theft, assault, arson, animal cruelty, hog and cattle rustling, and burglary.
8. He was indicted 21 times but managed to escape conviction each time, except for the last.

Legal Maneuvering and Intimidation Tactics

McElroy's ability to evade justice was largely due to his intimidation tactics and the legal expertise of his defense attorney.

9. McElroy often followed witnesses or parked outside their homes, watching them to ensure they did not testify against him.
10. His defense attorney, Richard Gene McFadin, was known for delaying trials and exploiting legal loopholes.
11. This combination of intimidation and legal maneuvering helped McElroy avoid convictions or receive lenient sentences.

Family Life and Domestic Violence

McElroy's personal life was as tumultuous as his criminal activities, marked by multiple marriages and numerous children.

12. McElroy fathered more than 10 children with different women.
13. He met his last wife, Trena McCloud, when she was 12 years old and in eighth grade, while he was 35.
14. He repeatedly raped McCloud, and after setting their house on fire and killing their dog, her parents reluctantly agreed to the marriage.
15. McElroy managed to avoid statutory rape charges by divorcing his first wife and marrying Trena when she was 14 and pregnant with his child.

Violent Incidents and Community Reaction

McElroy's violent behavior extended beyond his family, affecting the entire community of Skidmore.

16. He shot a farmer named Romaine Henry in the stomach with a shotgun in 1976.
17. Although Henry survived, McElroy was charged with assault with intent to kill but was found not guilty.
18. He also shot Ernest “Bo” Bowenkamp, a 70-year-old grocer, in the neck over an argument about whether McElroy’s child had stolen a piece of candy.
19. After his conviction for attempted murder, McElroy successfully appealed and was released on bond.
20. He then engaged in an ongoing harassment campaign against Bowenkamp and others who were sympathetic to him.

The Fatal Confrontation

The townspeople of Skidmore eventually took matters into their own hands, leading to McElroy's death.

21. On July 10, 1981, the townspeople held a meeting with the Nodaway County sheriff to discuss the situation with McElroy.
22. After the sheriff left, the group walked down to the local tavern where McElroy was having a morning drink with his wife.
23. The mob followed him outside, surrounding his pickup truck.
24. Several shots rang out, and McElroy was struck by bullets from at least two different firearms.
25. He bled out behind the wheel of his truck, with no one calling an ambulance.

The Unsolved Murder and Its Legacy

Despite the public nature of McElroy's murder, no one has been charged, leaving a lasting impact on the community and popular culture.

26. To date, no one has been charged in connection with McElroy’s death.
27. His story has been featured in popular culture, including a segment on 60 Minutes in 1982 and a book titled In Broad Daylight by Harry N. MacLean.
28. The book was adapted into a made-for-TV movie in 1991 starring Brian Dennehy, Cloris Leachman, Marcia Gay Harden, and Chris Sarandon.
29. The unsolved murder of Ken McElroy has also been the focus of a documentary series titled No One Saw A Thing, which premiered on SundanceTV in 2019.
30. Author Harry MacLean wrote extensively about McElroy’s story in his book In Broad Daylight.

The Failures of the Legal System

McElroy's ability to evade justice highlights significant failures within the legal system and law enforcement.

31. The failure of the legal system to bring McElroy to justice was a significant factor in his ability to evade punishment.
32. The intimidation tactics used by McElroy, combined with ineffective law enforcement, created a culture of silence among the townspeople.
33. Witnesses were too afraid to testify, and jurors were often coerced into acquitting him.
34. Law enforcement in Skidmore was often ineffective in dealing with McElroy.
35. The police were either too afraid or incompetent to bring him to justice.

The End of Ken McElroy

Ken McElroy's life was a chilling tale of unchecked violence, intimidation, and lawlessness. Despite his numerous crimes, he managed to evade justice for years, leaving the townspeople of Skidmore, Missouri, in constant fear. His reign of terror finally ended when the community took matters into their own hands, resulting in his death in broad daylight. Yet, no one was ever charged for his murder, leaving a cloud of mystery over the case.

McElroy's story highlights the failures of the legal system and the devastating impact of fear on a community. His legacy serves as a stark reminder of what happens when justice fails to protect the innocent. The tale of Ken McElroy continues to fascinate and horrify, a testament to the importance of effective law enforcement and community resilience.