UNSOLVED: Ken McElroy 2, Vigilante Justice with Tyler Allen (Minds of Madness)

Summary

---

Murder: True Crime Stories

Episode: UNSOLVED: Ken McElroy 2, Vigilante Justice with Tyler Allen (Minds of Madness)

Host: Carter Roy | Guest: Tyler Allen
Date: March 19, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode is the second in a two-part series on the infamous unsolved murder of Ken McElroy in Skidmore, Missouri. Host Carter Roy, joined by guest Tyler Allen from the Minds of Madness podcast, delves into the turbulent final days of McElroy, a man who terrorized his rural community for decades, and the extraordinary event when a town seemingly took the law into its own hands. Through detailed storytelling and reflective analysis, the episode examines not just the murder itself, but how a town’s silence turned into a form of vigilante justice that remains one of America’s most chilling unsolved cases.

---

Key Discussion Points & Timeline

1. Ken McElroy’s History of Terror

• [00:06-04:05]
  • For 20 years, Ken McElroy was known as the "biggest dirtbag around," primarily making money through livestock theft and insurance fraud.
  • Subjected Skidmore residents to relentless bullying, violence, and sexual abuse.
  • Expert at terrorizing witnesses into silence: "He made it his full time job to intimidate witnesses until they refused to testify against him." (Carter Roy, 04:05)
  • Police often refused to confront Ken for fear of retaliation.

2. The Shooting of Bo Bowenkamp

• [04:05-18:52]
  • Incident began when Bo Bowenkamp’s store clerk stopped Ken’s daughter from taking candy; Ken retaliated with harassment, culminating in shooting Bo in the face.
  • Bo survived and identified Ken as the shooter, but law enforcement hesitated to act.
  • City marshal David Dunbar took on the case despite being unprepared. Only Officer Richard Stratton was willing to pursue McElroy seriously.
  • Ken and his wife Trina were arrested, but Ken quickly escalated his campaign of harassment against those involved, including threatening families and local officials.
  • "[Ken] gave a detailed description of one of the officer’s homes... he’d seen it through the scope of a high powered rifle." (Carter Roy, 07:52)
  • City Marshal Dunbar, after being threatened at gunpoint, resigned, leaving the town more vulnerable.

3. Legal Proceedings, Delays, and Escalating Fear

• [19:26-29:17]
  • Ken’s preliminary hearing proceeds, with Bo bravely testifying despite his wounds.
  • Through legal maneuvering and intimidation, Ken delays trial repeatedly.
  • Even after conviction for second degree assault and being sentenced to two years, McElroy is allowed out on bail.
  • Citizens of Skidmore live in increasing fear; schools close early, and families sign petitions to bar Ken from town.
  • Ken’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic and paranoid; he’s aware the townspeople are conspiring against him.

4. The Final Days and the Ambush

• [31:45-48:44]
  • With an appeal pending, Ken is temporarily barred from Skidmore but returns after a town meeting discusses monitoring him.
  • A group of 30-45 men follow Ken and his wife Trina to the local pool hall; tension mounts ("It was like Ken was daring the group to follow through...").
  • Once Ken and Trina attempt to leave, shots are fired at Ken's truck. Ken is struck and killed. No one calls the police for 45 minutes.
  • When authorities arrive, evidence and witnesses have vanished; none of the many witnesses cooperate, and the murder weapons are never found.
  • Trina names Del Clement as a shooter but nobody corroborates her account.
  • "Between 30 and 45 people had directly witnessed the shooting, but each and every one of them told the police that they had no idea who was responsible." (Carter Roy, 44:20)

5. Aftermath & Legacy

• [48:44-55:43]
  • National attention descends on Skidmore, but the town closes ranks; no charges are ever brought.
  • Residents move on, Ken’s infamy grows through books and documentaries (notably “In Broad Daylight” by Harry Maclean).
  • The silence of the witnesses becomes as infamous as the crime.
  • “For that many people to stay silent that long, it’s kind of amazing... the bond of that community... it got this bad.” (Carter Roy, 53:11)
  • Tyler shares insights on reporting in Skidmore: "He went into Mom’s Cafe... The place went dead silent… waited two hours, they didn’t serve him, and then he just left." (Tyler Allen, 50:49)

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Ken’s Threats to Law Enforcement:
  • "[Ken] gave a detailed description of one of the officers’ homes... 'I’ve seen it through the scope of a high powered rifle.'"
    — Carter Roy [07:52]
• On the Town’s Silent Pact:
  • "Between 30 and 45 people had directly witnessed the shooting, but each and every one of them told the police that they had no idea who was responsible."
    — Carter Roy [44:20]
• On Vigilante Justice:
  • "It almost feels like a little more Old West... We’re just going to have to take care of our own problems here, the big systems -- not taking care of us."
    — Carter Roy [49:14]
• On Aftermath and Lasting Community Silence:
  • "For that many people to stay silent that long, it’s kind of amazing to me… the bond of that community... it got this bad."
    — Carter Roy [53:11]

---

Extended Conversation: Carter Roy & Tyler Allen

[48:44-55:43]

• Reflect on the emotional impact of the story’s ending and the inevitability given how the town and McElroy had reached a breaking point.
• Carter and Tyler discuss how the justice system’s repeated failures empowered the community to act outside the law.
• Tyler details post-murder silence in Skidmore, how journalists and outsiders were universally shunned, and the extraordinary nature of the communal "code of silence."
• They debate whether such an event could happen in the modern era, concluding that technology and surveillance would likely prevent such complete community complicity today.
• "And to think that, right, exactly, businesses are closing. They’re basically just like, we’re afraid to function as a town because of this one guy. It’s just insane." — Carter Roy [50:21]

---

Key Timestamps

• 00:06 – Introduction to Ken McElroy and Skidmore
• 04:05 – Detailed background on McElroy’s criminal history and terrorizing methods
• 07:52 – McElroy’s threats to Officer Stratton and family
• 19:26 – The shooting case against McElroy, attempts at legal remedy, and continued intimidation
• 29:48 – Community reaction post-conviction, climate of fear, and Ken’s increasing paranoia
• 31:45 – Final confrontation, vigilante meeting, killing of Ken McElroy
• 44:20 – Investigation stalls as the town refuses to cooperate
• 48:44 – Carter and Tyler’s analysis of community dynamics and the code of silence
• 53:11 – Reflections on the scale and persistence of the collective silence

---

Conclusion

This episode is a stark exploration of what happens when justice systems fail repeatedly, and an entire community reaches its boiling point. The murder of Ken McElroy, committed in broad daylight and watched by dozens, remains unsolved not due to a lack of witnesses, but because of the unprecedented solidarity of a community pushed to its limit. Through firsthand analysis, historical detail, and thought-provoking commentary, Carter Roy and Tyler Allen unravel not just the crime, but the social fabric that enabled such an extraordinary act of silent vigilantism.

---

Listen to the full episode for more true crime insights, and check out Carter Roy’s and Tyler Allen’s work for deeper dives into notorious unsolved mysteries.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Foreign.

[Carter Roy]

This is Crime House.

[Narrator]

When two people are having a conflict, might seem like the best thing to do is not get involved. But sometimes standing by while others duke it out can come back to bite you. Because when a bully is allowed to intimidate someone, it only makes them bolder the next time around. The town of Skidmore, Missouri knew this all too well. For 20 years, a man named Ken McElroy treated the people of Skidmore like dirt. And soon enough, the entire town was afraid of him and no one was off limits. Ken bullied elderly men, teenage girls, and the local minister alike. Even the police refused to deal with him. By 1981, it seemed like nothing could stop him short of a bullet, so the only question that remained was who would fire the first shot.

[Carter Roy]

People's lives are like a story. There's a beginning, a middle, and an end. But you don't always know which part you're on. Sometimes the final chapter arrives far too soon, and we don't always get to know the real ending. I'm Carter Roy and this is True Crime Stories, a Crime House original powered by Pave Studios. And once again I am thrilled to welcome Tyler Allen, the host of the Minds of Madness podcast.

[Tyler Allen]

Glad to be back, Carter.

[Carter Roy]

You're welcome back anytime. Just like in part one, Tyler will introduce today's episode. And be sure to stick around at the end of the episode as we sit down for an extended conversation about the case.

[Narrator]

I can't wait to this is the second of two episodes on the 1981 murder of 47 year old Ken McElroy in Skidmore, Missouri. So last time Carter explained how Ken spent decades terrorizing the town of Skidmore. Instead of building genuine relationships with his neighbors, he used violence and intimidation to get his way. Until finally, after three decades of bullying, the people of Skidmore had had enough. Today, Carter will discuss the day Ken finally crossed the line. In 1980, after he shot an elderly man over a petty argum, an angry mob of citizens decided to give Kent a taste of his own medicine. Dozens of people witnessed his death, but none would cooperate with police. And in the end, even law enforcement turned a blind eye. All this and more coming up.

[Quince Advertiser]

These days I'm really focused on quality over quantity. I'm raising my standards, especially when it comes to my closet. If it's not well made and versatile, I just don't bother. That's why I love Quince. Their fabrics feel elevated, the cuts are thoughtful, and the pricing is surprisingly reasonable. They make wardrobe staples in 100% European linen, silk and organic cotton poplin. Their cotton cashmere sweaters are light, soft and perfect for layering this season and their spring colors gorgeous. Everything is designed to make getting dressed effortless. These are pieces built to last. Soft gauze that isn't flimsy, linen that holds its shape and stitching that really, really stands up over time. That cotton cashmere sweater I grabbed has become my daily go to light luxe and exactly what I want. Stop waiting to build the wardrobe you actually want right now. Go to quint.com crimehouse pod for free shipping and 365 day returns. That's a full year to wear it and love it and you will now available in Canada too. Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last. Go to q U-I-N c e.com crimehousepod for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com crimehouse pod you ever buy something

[Carter Roy]

thinking it'll last and it just doesn't? Quince solves that for me. Lightweight cashmere sweaters, short sleeve Mongolian cashmere polos, linen bottoms and 100% Pima cotton tees. They're all built to actually last season after season. My personal favorites. Those linen shorts never wrinkle, match everything and I wear them constantly. The cashmere polo feels and looks expensive, but it's totally affordable. Stop overcomplicating your closet. A few smart pieces that work will get you further than a closet full of clothes you never wear. Right now go to quints.com crimehouse for free shipping and 365 day return. That's a full year to build your wardrobe and love it and you will now available in Canada too. Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last. Go to Q u I n c-e.com crimehouse for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com crimehouse. Between 1955 and 1980, Ken McElroy was the most notorious crook in Southern Missouri. It wasn't because he was the smartest, the richest, or even the most powerful person, but he was without a doubt the biggest dirtbag around. For the most part, Ken made his money by stealing livestock and committing insurance fraud. In his free time, he pushed people around for fun, abused his wives, and sexually assaulted teenage girls. Anytime he got caught, he embarked on one of his legendary harassment campaigns. He made it his full time job to intimidate witnesses until they refused to testify against him. Nowhere in Missouri was safe, but the town of Skidmore was especially vulnerable. Located Just three miles south of Ken's farmhouse. It was one of his favorite haunts and the people there were some of his favorite victims. No one knew that better than 70 year old Bo Bowenkamp. He owned a grocery store in skidmore, and on April 25, 1980, one of his clerks stopped Ken's four year old daughter from pocketing some candy. What should have been a minor incident exploded into something much worse. 46 year old Ken stormed into the store claiming that Bo and his wife Lois crossed the line and embarrassed his daughter in public. As revenge, he started following the couple around town, threatening them with violence and even firing his shotgun into the air outside their house. All Bo could do was grit his teeth and wait for it to blow over. So for his 70th birthday on July 8, he kept his celebration purposely low key. He grabbed some beers at the local pub, then drove to his store to finish up some chores. As he broke down a pile of cardboard boxes by the dumpster, Ken approached him with his shotgun drawn. When Bo threatened to call the police, ken shot the 70 year old point blank in the face, then fled the scene. A group of men at a nearby tavern heard the shot and came outside to investigate. They found Beau lying in a pool of his own blood. He was conscious, but just barely. EMTs rushed him to the hospital where doctors determined that he had four gunshot wounds in his ear and neck. A couple of pellets had come within half an inch of his major arteries. Not only was Beau miraculously alive, but he was lucid too. He repeatedly told the paramedics that Ken McElroy was the one who shot him. And it's not like there were any doubts about that. Everyone from the men who called 911 to the responding officers knew who was responsible. Ken had been promising to kill Bo for months now. Whenever he got drunk, he rambled on about his petty beef with the old man. But the police didn't want to arrest him. If they did, they were signing themselves up for months of harassment. In all likelihood, they would be putting their families in danger too. Since the police couldn't take the heat, the city marshal, David Dunbar, ended up in charge of the case in Skidmore. The marshal was an elected official whose main role was enforcing civil court orders. While he technically had the authority to arrest people, Dunbar was more of a politician. He didn't have a law enforcement background and usually wouldn't have dealt with criminal cases. Dunbar knew he was in over his head from the beginning, but he tried his best. After the shooting, he Put out a radio call for every available officer to be on the lookout for Ken as he fled the scene. One of the officers who responded was Richard Stratton. He was one of the only cops in the area who refused to bow down to Ken McElroy. So when he got the call from Dunbar, he jumped at the chance to finally nail Ken. Based on past experience, he already knew what Ken's plan would be. First, he would leave the state and lay low for a few weeks. Then he would bribe or intimidate enough people to establish a fake alibi. That meant Stratton had to intercept Ken's pickup truck before it was too late. Stratton turned his car around and headed to a town called Fillmore, about 25 miles away from the scene of the crime and closer to the state line. Sure enough, he spotted Ken in the center of town almost immediately. His wife, 23 year old Trina, was in the passenger seat of their pickup. Officer Stratton wanted to pull Ken over right there, but his dispatcher told him to wait for backup. Stratton reluctantly agreed, knowing that approaching Ken just minutes after he tried to kill a man was probably a bad idea. Still, Stratton didn't want Ken to get too far. He followed as Ken led him out of town, driving erratically. When that didn't work, Ken pulled off onto a gravel road and sped toward the woods. That was bad for Stratton. The dirt roads near Fillmore were a maze. It would be almost impossible for his backup to meet him before Ken got away. But following Ken into the trees made Stratton a sitting duck for an ambush. He realized that if he wanted to catch Ken, it was now or never. He turned on his siren and forced the pickup to pull over to the side of the road before they got too deep into the forest. With adrenaline spiking through his blood, Stratton grabbed a 12 gauge shotgun and approached Ken. After a moment, Ken stepped outside of his truck. When Stratton announced that he was under arrest, he played dumb. Trina claimed her husband had been home with her the entire day. None of their excuses mattered to Stratton. He kept his gun trained on them until backup arrived to handcuff both of them. Even though Trena wasn't accused of shooting anyone, Stratton still considered her dangerous. The arrest went off without a hitch, but the worst was yet to come. Since Trina wasn't involved in the shooting, she was quickly released from the station. Meanwhile, Ken was hauled into an interrogation room. He refused to discuss the shooting without his lawyer. Present. Instead, he gave a detailed description of one of the officers homes. When asked how he knew what the inside of the house looked like, Ken said he'd seen it through the scope of a high powered rifle. A few minutes later, an anonymous man called Officer Stratton's wife. The caller said, something bad's going to happen to your husband. He's not going to live until the trial. Then they hung up. Barely an hour after Ken's arrest, his latest harassment campaign had already begun, and Richard Stratton was his newest target. The next day, Ken was released on bond. Given Ken's history, the prosecutor argued that the amount should be at least $50,000. But the magistrate decided on 30,000 instead. Ken had always shown up for his court dates, so the judge had no reason to believe he was a flight risk. They scheduled his preliminary hearing for August 18, 1980. While Ken and his lawyers prepared for the trial, news of the shooting spread through Skidmore like wildfire. Over the past few decades, most residents had gotten used to Ken's strongman tactics. Even so, he'd never been bold enough to shoot a man in the face in broad daylight. It didn't seem possible, but somehow his behavior was getting worse, and the town was terrified of what he might do next. Most people stuck to the strategy they'd employed for years. They kept their heads down and did their best to avoid antagonizing him. That was easier said than done. Immediately after he was released on bond, Ken went into a tavern across the street from the site of the shooting. He watched as most of the patrons made a beeline for the door. In a loud voice, he asked the people who remained what had happened the day before. He was daring them to speak up. Just like everything else, it was all a sick power play. Meanwhile, Bowe and Lois Bowenkamp were on high alert. Bo was technically the only witness to the shooting, and if Ken wanted to kill him before, he had even more reason to do so now. There was nothing Bo's loved ones could do but try to watch him 24 7. Bo's neighbor and wife even took turns sleeping at night, so there was never a moment when Beau wasn't guarded. Another person who stuck their neck out to help was a minister named Tim Warren. After the shooting, he'd visited Bo at the hospital. When Tim left, he got a threatening phone call from Ken, warning him to stay away. He stood his ground, and a few days later, Ken called again, swearing to castrate his son and assault his wife. Wife in front of him. All because the minister comforted a man in the hospital. Harassment became Ken's full time job. He targeted the minister, the Bowen camps, and Officer Stratton. But he also made time to intimidate the young men who called the paramedics after the shooting and the town marshal, David Dunbar. In Dunbar's case, a drunken Ken pointed a gun at him and swore he would kill anyone who helped put him in prison. Even though Dunbar had the authority to arrest him, he couldn't do anything with a firearm two inches from his face. Once Ken finally left him alone, Dunbar called the police and told them what happened. He begged them to throw Ken and Jim at least for the night. The officers refused. The next day, Dunbar resigned as the Skidmore marshal. If he couldn't count on law enforcement to back him up, it wasn't worth was yet another win for Ken. The message was clear. No one was safe from his terror campaign. If Ken had his way, there wouldn't be a single person left who was willing to testify against him. And so far, it looked like he was winning. Rula Makes Therapy Feel actually Doable There was a time when I was completely stressed out. Work, life, everything just piling up and I knew I needed to talk to someone. But every therapist I found online either didn't take my insurance or the cost was just too high. It felt like getting help was out of reach. Rula solves that. They partner with over 100 insurance plans, which makes the average copay just $15 per session, sometimes even $0 depending on your benefits. No frustrating back and forth. No wait lists. You can book appointments as soon as tomorrow and they stay with you throughout your journey to make sure your care is helping you move forward. Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high quality therapy that's actually covered by Insurance. Visit rula.commtcs to get started. After you sign up, you'll be asked how you heard about them. Please support our show and let them know we sent you. That's r u l a.commtcs. you deserve mental health care that works with you, not against your budget.

[Quince Advertiser]

Par les tu francais hablas espanol?

[Progressive Insurance Advertiser]

Parle italiano.

[Babbel Advertiser]

If you've used Babbel, you would Babbel's conversation based technique teaches you useful words and phrases to get you speaking quickly about the things you actually talk about in the real world. With lessons handcrafted by over 200 language experts and voiced by real native speakers, Babbel is like having a private tutor in your pocket. Start speaking with Babbel today. Get up to 55% off your Babel subscription right now at babbel.com listen spelled b a B-B-E l.com listen rules and restrictions may apply.

[Carter Roy]

On August 18, 1980, Ken McElroy's preliminary hearing began at the courthouse in Skidmore, Missouri. After directing a month long harassment campaign against all possible witnesses, the 46 year old was feeling pretty confident in himself. He knew the Bowen Camps were losing steam. He'd started parking next to the family's grocery store in the afternoons. As long as his truck was outside, customers refused to shop there. Worried about being caught in a crossfire. Although he was losing business, 70 year old Bo refused to be intimidated. He took the stand and gave his testimony, which wasn't easy with the wounds in his neck. He had to repeat himself in front of the courtroom several times because his voice was so hoarse. But by the end of the hearing, he got what he wanted. The judge ordered the case to move forward to trial in three weeks on September 5th. Except everyone knew it wasn't going to happen that quickly. Ken's high powered defense lawyer got the proceedings moved to another jurisdiction and delayed until December. He argued that Ken couldn't get a fair trial anywhere in the surrounding area. All the while, Ken continued to make enemies of nearly everyone he met. On September 13, he and Trina got involved in a road rage incident that almost ended in violence. After a woman in a passing car flipped them off, Ken deliberately crashed into her, forcing her to pull over. When the woman's husband stepped outside, Ken shoved a gun in his face. Doing that violated the terms of his bond. He could have even been arrested for it. But for some reason, a judge simply ruled that his $30,000 bond should be replaced with a new $40,000 one. It was a slap on the wrist and soon things only got worse. Shortly after this, Ken's lawyer got the shooting trial delayed again. This time for February of 1981. That meant another month that the Bowen camps and the Strattons had to deal with Ken's harassment. But by January, Ken was getting more desperate. Beau was still dead set on testifying. So Ken pulled out his trump card, his final legal trick. Two weeks before the trial, he shelled out for a new lawyer named Richard Webster, who also happened to be a state senator. There was a unique exception that allowed a legislator to delay a trial if it took place while the state assembly was in session. Which is exactly what Ken was counting on. The judge knew what Ken was doing, but there was no way he could stop it. The trial had to be put pushed back yet again to June 25, 1981, almost a year after the shooting. Usually these kind of cases went to court within two months at most. That bought Ken more time. But as long as Bo Bowenkamp was alive, he was still doomed to lose his case. He was getting desperate enough to do anything to kill the old man. But ideally he wanted the whole thing to look like an accident. One night he even tried to buy some venomous copperhead snakes from an acquaintance, saying he was going to toss them into Bo's car when he wasn't looking. He never followed through with that particular plan. But the stress was clearly getting to Ken. As the months wore on, he became erratic. He knew the entire town was gossiping about him behind his back. Bo Bowenkamp, Officer Stratton and even the minister Tim Warren had started carrying guns with them wherever they went. Dangerous paranoia took root in Ken's mind. He regularly confronted his friends and family, accusing them of plotting against him and starting vicious rumors. No one was safe and it was just a matter of time until Ken blew up again. By May, the entire town of Skidmore operated as if there was a legal curfew. Parents stopped allowing their kids out after 4 o' clock in the afternoon and the local bar started closing early at 6pm thankfully, there was no more violence ahead of the trial. And while Ken seemed more unstable than ever, regularly going on three day drinking binges and vowing to kill Beau in public, the star witness was still alive. Ken had no choice but to sit and listen as Beau took the stand on June 25 and told the court about the shooting. When it was his turn to talk, Ken claimed that Bo had attacked him with a knife that evening. He said he'd only intended to fire a warning shot at the 70 year old. The fact that four pellets struck him in the neck was a total accident. The jury didn't buy it. After deliberating for a short time, they convicted Ken McElroy of second degree assault and sentenced him to two years in jail. The penalty was relatively light considering what happened. But the prosecution considered it a major victory and Ken was furious. Still, his lawyers assured him there were other options. At the time, the Missouri state law allowed convicted criminals 25 days to file an appeal. During that period, the defendant could be let out on bail, free to go where he pleased. That meant 47 year old Ken McElroy was allowed right back on the streets of Skidmore. It was the worst case scenario. Many residents thought it would have Been better to drop the charges than sentence him to a measly two years in prison. They worried Ken would serve his time and then come back more ruthless than ever. Groups of terrified families assembled in secret. Some plotted to hire a hitman to take Ken out. Others circulated a petition to ban him from ever setting foot in town. Scores of people rushed to sign it. For his part, Ken was just as scared as everyone else. Though he talked tough in front of other people, he privately told Trina that he expected to be killed soon. He worried that a bitter cop or a vigilante farmer would shoot him one night on the side of the road. Over the past few months, he'd gained weight and lost some of his energy. He had enemies everywhere. Even if he somehow got off this time, his luck would run out eventually. His own actions had backed him into a corner. Things had already reached a fever pitch. After three decades, Ken seemed like he was getting tired of constantly fighting. But he couldn't afford to show any of that in public. So instead he did what he'd always done. He escalated the situation. Four days after his conviction on June 30, 1981, the 47 year old showed up at a Skidmore tavern. Determined to make a scene. Ken made a show of bringing a World War II era rifle into the bar with a bayonet attached. As the patrons around him watched, he loaded the rifle with a full clip, cocked it and waved it around. He pointed the gun directly at several bystanders and graphically described how he was going to saw Bo Bowenkamp in half with the bayonet. One customer, an older veteran, had enough of the threats. He left the bar and went home to arm himself with his own rifle. Then he drove over to an intersection near the Bowen camp's house and stood watch on the corner, weapon in hand. He told people passing by that he was going to blow Ken McElroy away if he dared to head that direction. Ken left the bar that night and went home without following through on his threats. It wasn't the first time he turned out to be all talk. But the veteran's actions inspired the rest of the town. It seemed like Ken McElroy might be losing his touch. Slowly but surely, people were becoming less afraid of him. Ken could feel his power slipping and it was only a matter of time before it all came crumbling down.

[Dermalogica Advertiser]

Real skin results start with one daily ritual. Meet daily microfoliant from Dermalogica. This iconic exfoliating powder activates with water to gently polish away dullness and uneven texture. It leaves skin instantly smoother and more luminous while supporting your skin barrier. Formulated with professional expertise to deliver visible results daily, even on sensitive skin. Discover your healthiest skin today. Visit dermalogica.com and use code smooth at checkout for an exclusive gift with your $65 purchase.

[Lemonade Pet Insurance Advertiser]

Do you love your pets? Do you love suspense? Do you love it when your pets keep you in suspense because they ate something mysterious? And who knows what the vet visit will cost if you answered yes twice and then no, you should protect your pet with Lemonade Pet Insurance. It can save you up to 90% on vet bills for checkups, emergencies, diagnostics, all the stuff that leaves you financially on the edge of your seat. Get a quick and Easy [e-mail] pet and get your suspense somewhere else, like

[Carter Roy]

from a riveting podcast hey, it's Carter.

[Final Hours Podcast Promoter]

If you are enjoying Murder true crime stories, there's a new crime house show

[Carter Roy]

for you to check out.

[Final Hours Podcast Promoter]

It's called the Final Hours, and it's hosted by Sarah Turney and Courtney Nicole. Sarah is an advocate for missing and murdered victims whose sister disappeared in 2001, and Courtney is a true crime storyteller and investigator who witnessed firsthand how crime can change a family forever. Together, they bring lived experience to every case, looking not only at what happened, but what led up to it. Each episode examines the moments just before a person disappears, the routines, the timelines, and the small details that often get overlooked because every disappearance has a moment where everything still feels normal. A text that doesn't raise concern, a routine that goes unchanged, a door that closes just like it always has.

[Carter Roy]

Until it doesn't.

[Final Hours Podcast Promoter]

The final hours puts those moments under a microscope, because when it comes to justice, there's no such thing as over analyzing. Listen to and follow the final hours on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen new episodes every Monday.

[Carter Roy]

By July 1981, 47 year old Ken Matthew McElroy could see the writing on the wall. After decades of terrorizing southern Missouri, committing crimes with impunity, he was finally facing jail time for shooting an elderly man named Bo Bowenkamp. His usual tactics of witness intimidation and tough talk were failing him, and he had just 10 days left to appeal his case before he was hauled off to prison. Ken had never been locked up before, and he was genuinely afraid of the prospect. That was one reason why he'd fought so hard over the years to avoid every single conviction, even the minor ones. In private, he asked friends for advice on surviving in prison, but serving time wasn't the only thing that worried him. His conviction for felony assault shattered the invincible image he'd spent his life cultivating over the years. The people of Skidmore had watched him beat more than 30 felony charges. That record alone discouraged witnesses from testifying against him. It seemed like Ken couldn't be convicted. The system was simply not capable of dealing with him. Now that mystique was crumbling, big, bad Ken McElroy didn't seem so invincible anymore. That said, Ken hadn't totally given up yet. With no other options left on the table, he turned to his expensive lawyers for help. Officially, he was a free man until July 10th. But as always, his attorney had an idea to stretch that out a little bit longer. Just before the appeal hearing was set to begin, the lawyer told the court he had a conflict and requested a 10 day delay. It was a tough sell since the judge knew tension was rising between Ken and the rest of Skidmore. In the end, the court agreed to delay as long as Ken didn't enter Skidmore. During that time, his farmhouse was about three miles north of the town. If he needed groceries, he'd have to drive a little bit further to a place called Maryville. So just before the finish line, Ken squeaked by with another 10 days of freedom. July 10, 1981, was supposed to be the day he was finally hauled off to prison. That Friday morning, people learned about the latest delay at a cafe in Skidmore. The decision outraged them. People complained that lawyers and judges were never going to help them. For some, this was the final straw. Eventually, about 60 men got together and discussed plans to deal with Ken McElroy once and for all. They marched down to a community center to hash things out. Their original goal was to set up regular patrols around town, kind of like a neighborhood watch, to protect the people who could act as witnesses against Ken. Eventually, though, they settled on something more drastic. After about an hour of discussion, they decided to call the sheriff to fill him in on their plans. He urged the group to be careful. But before he left, he was sure to mention that if Ken ever drew a gun on them, they had a legal right to defend themselves. That was important information, but time was running out to act. If the police had heard about the gathering, it wouldn't be long until Ken did too. Sure enough, at around 9:30am Ken's sister told him what was going on. His wife, Trina, begged him to leave it alone. But Ken never let anyone insult him without fighting back. He told Trina to get in the truck. They were going to Skidmore whether the judge wanted him to or not. The meeting at the community center was still going on by the time the duo arrived. They pulled into the parking lot of a local pool hall at around 10am and went in to have a drink. Someone saw them and ran over to tell the men at the community center. It was like Ken was daring the group to follow through on their plans, and whatever they decided to do, they were in it alone. At some point after talking to the group, the sheriff drove clear out of town. Shortly after Ken and Trina arrived at the pool hall, between 30 and 45 men marched down there. A few others opted to wait outside the tavern with their guns ready in case something went down. Many were convinced things would end in a shootout. They had no idea that for the first time in his life, Ken had arrived in town unarmed. Maybe he came by that day just to show face, to prove he wasn't scared. Or maybe he had already given up. Soon after, Ken and Trina sat down at the bar. The men started showing up, two or three at a time. The bartender was confused to find the place packed before noon on Friday. Ken seemed unbothered by the swarm of people and even made small talk with the man who sat next to him. But once he and Trena finished their drinks, they tried to rush out. When they reached the door, a few men shouted at Ken, warning him not to come back into town. Ken acted like he didn't hear them and walked outside to the parking lot. After a moment, a few of the men followed, determined to keep him under surveillance until he officially left Skidmore. Pretty soon, the entire group was outside. Trina felt uneasy as she climbed into the back seat of the truck. Through the rearview mirror, she noticed the armed men who were waiting on the sidewalk, separate from the main crowd. She pointed them out to Ken in the driver's seat. For a moment, he just sat there without saying a word. Then the first shot rang out. A bullet shattered the pickup's rear window and went straight through Ken's cheek. A second shot found its mark right after. Blood gushed from Ken's head and soaked the truck's interior. Trina screamed and opened the door and ran outside, wailing at the top of her lungs. One of the older men scooped her up and rushed her out of the fray as several more shots rang out. Then, all of a sudden, the chaos died down. An uncertain silence settled over the parking lot as gun smoke drifted along. Inside the tavern, the bartender and the last remaining customers froze, not daring to make a sound. A few Quiet minutes passed before they got word that the shootout was over. Ken McElroy was dead. One of the men took Trena into a nearby bank building. She screamed for the next 10 minutes refusing to move or clean herself up until finally someone called one of Ken's brothers to help. He was able to coax her outside. At that point, all he knew was that Ken had been shot. He tried to get Trina to check on her husband but she was adamant that Ken was dead. There was no point in going back to the Grizzly scene. Her brother in law was heartbroken, but just like everyone else, he knew Ken had enemies. He accepted Trina's story without a fight and took her back to the farmhouse. Meanwhile, the pickup was still in the parking lot with Ken's body slumped over the steering wheel. Back on the street, every single one of the witnesses had left. Rumors spread that the culprits had gone to a property outside of town, smashed the murder weapons and used a blowtorch or wood burning stove to melt them down. Whatever the case, no one reported the shooting even though the entire block heard the commotion. It wasn't until 11am about 45 minutes later. Later, that Ken's lawyer finally called the police. He heard secondhand that his client was shot and wanted to know what was going on. At first the officers didn't believe him. But when they got to the parking lot at around 11:20, they found Ken's pickup full of holes. It looked like at least eight shots were fired from several different guns. But only two of them hit Ken. Ken's lawyer called Farmhouse and got in touch with Trina. Worried that she might be targeted next, they told her to go to the state police headquarters located about an hour away. When she arrived, Trena gave her official statement identifying one of the shooters as a man named Del Clement. But he wasn't the only one who seemed to have been involved. Only minutes before Ken was murdered, the sheriff had advised a group of men on how to deal with him. And everyone knew the local prosecutor had been threatened many times by Ken in the past. There were too many conflicts of interest. Even if the police investigated the shooting by the books, no one would accept the result. So the local authorities handed the case over to the Northwest Mission Missouri Investigative Squad, a task force that was established to deal with unusual crimes. They had an impossible job and it wasn't long before their investigation hit a dead end. No one in town was willing to talk to them full stop. Not everyone agreed that Ken should have been murdered. But the people of Skidmore were unanimously against prosecuting his killers. It was an unprecedented situation. Between 30 and 45 people had directly witnessed the shooting, but each and every one of them told the police that they had no idea who was responsible. Either they hadn't seen who fired the fatal shots, or they couldn't remember anything about the incident at all. Without a murder weapon or even shell casings, there was no way to continue the investigation. The authorities stopped asking questions after just five days. The only people who wanted to find the killers were Trena and the rest of Ken's family. They publicly criticized the police for failing to arrest Dale Clement, the man Trena accused of firing the first shot at Ken. Their statements attracted nationwide attention, with reporters from all over flocking to Skidmore to follow the story. Practically overnight, Ken's death became a legendary example of vigilante justice. But no matter how much they complained, no other witnesses came forward to speak to the police. With Ken finally gone, most people just wanted to move on and forget any of it had ever happened. After all, Ken had spent nearly 30 years treating people like dirt. He used violence, harassment and legal loopholes to his advantage. Maybe if someone had stood up to him sooner, he never would have been murdered. But they didn't. People stood by and kept their heads down, hoping someone else would take care of the problem. No one acted until the situation became desperate. And by that point, drastic action seemed like the only choice. When the dust finally settled, Skidmore was undoubtedly safer without Ken around. And there weren't many who grieved his death. As for his victims, they moved on in their own ways. Ken's former wives, Sharon, Alice and Trina kept in contact for a few years after his death. But eventually they cut ties with each other. Trina and Alice ended up remarrying and settling outside of Skidmore. Since then, the legend of Ken McElroy has lived on. Several documentaries and a book called In Broad Daylight by Harry Maclean have immortalized the story of his life and death. Today, 25 years later, we still don't know who really shot Ken McElroy. But the facts are clear. He was a violent man who pushed people until they had no choice but to respond. At a certain point, even he must have known he'd gone too far. But it was too late. By then, Ken had already sewn the the seeds of his own destruction. I'm Carter Roy, and this is Murder True Crime Stories. Come back next time for the story of a new murder and all the people it affected. Thanks again to Tyler Allen for joining me Stay tuned. Tuned. Tyler and I are going to discuss the case a little bit more in depth and get into his connection to it all. True Crime Stories is a Crime House original powered by Page Studios. Here at Crime House, we want to thank each and every one of you for your support. If you like what you heard today, reach out on social media, rimehouse on TikTok and Instagram. Don't forget to rate, review and follow True Crime Stories wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback truly makes a difference. And to enhance your Murder True Crime Stories listening experience, subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode ad free. We'll be back on Friday. True Crime Stories is hosted by me, Carter Roy and is a Crime House original powered by Pave Studios. This episode was brought to life by the Murder Murder True Crime Stories team. Max Cutler, Ron Shapiro, Alex Benedon, Natalie Pertofsky, Laurie Marinelli, Sara Camp, Tara Wells, Hania Said and Russell Nash. Thank you for listening. Thanks again for listening to today's episode. As promised, Tyler and I are going to discuss the case a little bit more in depth and get into his connection to it all. So, yeah, when you first heard the story and like, when you get to the part where Kevin McElroy is killed, what were your sort of emotional reactions to that? Just like as a person hearing the

[Tyler Allen]

story, the lead up to it, you know, the meeting at the Legion, you know, everybody hanging out on the street in the dng, you knew something really

[Narrator]

bad was gonna happen.

[Carter Roy]

Yeah.

[Tyler Allen]

Ken, don't forget he also went into the DNG with an M1 with a

[Narrator]

bayonet attached to it.

[Tyler Allen]

You knew what was gonn happen.

[Carter Roy]

What are your feelings on whether justice was served or not?

[Tyler Allen]

The unfortunate part was that he got out on bail. It was the kind of thing that could happen in 1980.

[Carter Roy]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Although it, it almost feels like a little more Old west even than 1980. There is a certain like, well, we're just going to have to take care of our own problems here, the big systems, you know.

[Tyler Allen]

Yeah.

[Carter Roy]

Not taking care of us. No. And like you said, it's, it's so crazy to me that the number of opportunities the system had to deal with him. Oh, yeah. That long ago this could have not been a problem for the town to have to deal with.

[Tyler Allen]

And then you look at a population of, you know, at that time, I think it was, was it 400? That was the population in 81. And, and you look at the tragedies that followed. It just the insane. Like the. The poor girl who had her baby cut out of her stomach and then you had the boy that went missing, he went out to put jumper cables in a shed and just disappeared.

[Carter Roy]

That. And, yeah, with that smaller town and that amount of violence, very like, you realize, like, oh, everybody would be affected. There's nobody's walking around Skidmore who doesn't know what's going on either, like, directly affected your family or your neighbors. You're going to hear about it. And to think that. Right, exactly. Businesses are closing. They're basically just like, we're afraid to function as a town because of this one guy. It's just insane.

[Tyler Allen]

And the approach that we took on our episode is we not only told the story, but we also told Harry's story, the writer who did in broad daylight. And he actually had to go and live there. And he lived with a family, worked on their farm, and to earn the trust of the people. There's a. The other documentary, no one saw a thing. That amc, one that's out right now, they interview a writer who went into town and she experienced the exact same thing Harry did. He went into Mom's Cafe, which was the little cafe in town, and sat for two hours waiting to be served. He wanted a coffee and he literally walked in the door. The place went dead silent. He sat there for two hours, they didn't serve him, and then he just left. And he said the moment the door shut, all the talking started again. You know, that town, they were so tired of the media attention and they did not want, you know, everyone's afraid to talk.

[Carter Roy]

Yeah, Well, I was going to say you. You know. Right. You've got the witnesses themselves and everyone connected. Just knowing, like, we're keeping ourselves safe now post the event of it, by not talking, we have to still protect ourselves from here, which is this crazy now. Yeah. Insulation of silence. And to think that that many witnesses say nothing.

[Tyler Allen]

Oh, yeah. I mean, and Trina flat out said. She pointed the finger at Del Clement and she said, I saw him. I saw him shoot a gun. Now, people have been convicted for that much evidence by somebody saying, I saw this person shoot and it never happened.

[Carter Roy]

Yeah. I mean, like you say, if you have a first person account of like, this person shot, I saw, that's usually enough. But in this case, if you got enough other people being like, nope, didn't see it, don't know to contradict it. Yeah, it shuts it down.

[Tyler Allen]

And they did their best to try. I mean, they got a grand jury involved in this. And the prosecutor said it was the only time he was ever before a grand jury was the, the Ken Rex McElroy case. And, you know, it was interesting how they said, when you were looking at the truck, did you look to see was to your right? And then it was, did you look to your left? And everybody said, no, I did not look to the left because obviously that must have been where the shooter was. And no, I didn't, I didn't. You see, you know, interviews with, with the townspeople, it's like, oh, I was in my garden. I didn't. I was doing some gardening.

[Narrator]

I wasn't interested in what was going on.

[Tyler Allen]

But meanwhile, they said it could have been 100 people at the Legion for that meeting.

[Carter Roy]

Totally. And I find it amazing, given human nature, to talk, to tell stories, to want to tell your secrets, to confess, for that many people to stay silent that long. It's kind of amazing to me because, like, that the bond of that community be like, no, it got this bad. Where no one's like, oh, I don't know, was it that bad? Should we have done that? It's so clear that they're like, absolutely.

[Tyler Allen]

Oh, yeah, yeah. And one person did, was going to testify and then next day brought a lawyer in and recanted what he said. So it is, it is so fascinating because, you know, I don't even want to tell, like, my kids if I'm getting something for my wife for Christmas, you know, because, you know, whatever, you

[Carter Roy]

just, you keep this.

[Tyler Allen]

Like, I will keep it. You know, I got to keep it quiet because, you know, the kids are just going to blab. And just to think that even in my own house, you know, over something silly like that. And this is an entire town and we're talking about a murder.

[Carter Roy]

And, you know, there's got to be conversation not only not to investigators, but conversations outside, like, word spreads. And you think of all the crimes that unravel and people get caught for precisely this reason, only two or three people are trying to keep it quiet. And somebody can't help but talk about something and it spreads and.

[Tyler Allen]

Absolutely.

[Carter Roy]

And here I'm like, wow, these people had it with this guy.

[Tyler Allen]

I mean, like, that's.

[Carter Roy]

Yeah, that's an unusual behavior.

[Tyler Allen]

Yeah, I mean, like, and like I said, that's. It was a crime that could have

[Narrator]

only happened in 1980, it would not

[Tyler Allen]

happen now because, you know, somebody would have a cell phone out, there would be security footage from a camera somewhere.

[Carter Roy]

Yeah, well, and I'll always be curious, obviously, I don't think we'll ever know in terms of the crowd. Like I know that, you know, the sheriff had or somebody had sort of told them like if he fires first or brings a gun, you know, then you'll be able to claim self defense. And he, he didn't in that moment. But then it's so, it's interesting to be like, oh, I wonder if everybody was in on what happened or if a couple people were like, you know what, I'm not waiting for him to grab a gun. But then everyone's like, okay, yeah, once it's done, we're keeping the code of silence.

[Tyler Allen]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, well, everybody had them in

[Narrator]

their trucks back then.

[Tyler Allen]

So I think, I think I did read that somewhere.

[Narrator]

That was pretty, pretty common.

[Tyler Allen]

I mean, we're in Canada.

[Narrator]

That's not common here.

[Carter Roy]

Yeah, it's common here. Well, thank you Tyler so much for joining us. This case is totally fascinating and for those listening, if you want to. If you want more of Tyler's work, check out Minds of Madness. Fantastic podcast and dives deep into complex true crime cases just like this one. And you can follow wherever you get your podcasts.

[Progressive Insurance Advertiser]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. What if comparing car insurance rates was as easy as putting on your favorite podcast? With Progressive, it is. Just visit the Progressive website to quote with all the coverages you want. You'll see Progressive's direct rate. Then their tool will provide options from other companies so you can compare. All you need to do is choose the rate and coverage you like. Quote [e-mail] to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive, Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Comparison rates not available in all states or situations. Prices vary based on how you buy.

[Carter Roy]

Hi, it's Carter. If you love murder true crime stories, check out the new Crime House original about disappearances, the Final Hours hosted by

[Final Hours Podcast Promoter]

Sarah Turney and Courtney Nicole. Listen and follow the final hours on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever

[Carter Roy]

you get your podcasts.

[Final Hours Podcast Promoter]

New episodes drop every Monday.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile with a message for everyone paying big wireless way too much. Please, for the love of everything good in this world, stop with Mint. You can get premium wireless for just $15 a month. Of course, if you enjoy overpaying, no judgments. But that's weird. Okay, one judgment anyway. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment

[Dermalogica Advertiser]

of $45 for three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required intro rate first three months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees, extra see full terms at Mint Mobile.

[Carter Roy]

Com.