"Ken Rex McElroy (June 1, 1934 – July 10, 1981) was a resident of Skidmore, Missouri. Known as "the town bully",[1] his unsolved killing became the focus of international attention. Over the course of his life, McElroy was accused of dozens of felonies, including assault, child molestation, statutory rape, arson, hog and cattle rustling, and burglary.[2] Ken McElroy Born Ken Rex McElroy June 1, 1934 Overland Park, Kansas, United States Died July 10, 1981 (aged 47) Skidmore, Missouri, United States Cause of death Multiple gunshot wounds Known for Unsolved murder Spouse(s) Sharon Alice Woods Trena McCloud Children 10 Criminal charge Assault with intent to kill Details Victims Bo Bowenkamp Date July 8, 1981 In all, he was indicted 21 times but escaped conviction each time, except for the last.[2][3] In 1981, McElroy was convicted of shooting and seriously injuring the town's 70-year-old grocer, Ernest "Bo" Bowenkamp, the previous year.[1] McElroy successfully appealed the conviction and was released on bond, after which he engaged in an ongoing harassment campaign against Bowenkamp and others who were sympathetic to Bowenkamp, including the town's Church of Christ minister. He appeared in a local bar, the D&G Tavern, armed with an M1 Garand rifle and bayonet, and later threatened to kill Bowenkamp.[1][3] The next day, McElroy was shot to death in broad daylight as he sat with his wife Trena in his pickup truck on Skidmore's main street.[2] He was struck by bullets from at least two different firearms, in front of a crowd of people estimated as between 30 and 46.[1] To date, no one has been charged in connection with McElroy's death.[1]"
His body would mysteriously be discovered in some back alley a few hours later. Of course, they would do their usual investigation, but the normal conclusion was that he died in a street fight, drug overdose or from some other natural cause endemic to his chosen lifestyle. Too bad, so sad, case closed.