Ken McElroy Part 1, The Bully of Skidmore with Murder: True Crime Stories

About this episode

This episode explores the violent history of Ken McElroy and its impact on the town of Skidmore, Missouri.

In this special true crime crossover episode, I joined Carter Roy for a 2-part episode of Murder: True Crime Stories. To hear part 2 and my extended conversation with Carter, follow Murder: True Crime stories wherever you listen to podcasts. For nearly 30 years, Ken McElroy terrorized the small town of Skidmore, Missouri. Accused of theft, assault, arson, statutory rape, and intimidation, he manipulated the legal system and silenced witnesses through fear. When he shot 70-year-old grocery store owner Bo Bowenkamp in broad daylight—and still managed to delay justice yet again—the town’s patience began to crack. In Part 1 of this two-episode series, I join Carter Roy to help unravel how one man’s unchecked violence exposed the limits of the justice system and pushed a quiet farming community toward the brink. Follow Murder: True Crime Stories wherever you listen to podcasts to hear me on part 2 and an extended conversation about the case with Carter Roy. Listen and follow here: https://play.megaphone.fm/1c4m9ll3rcg3-hgdpn2_ww

People in this episode

Host: Grip Tape

Guest: Carter Roy

Topics covered

• true crime
• justice system
• community violence
• legal manipulation
• crossover episode

Keywords

• Ken McElroy
• true crime
• Skidmore
• Carter Roy
• justice system
• violence
• Bo Bowenkamp

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Skidmore, Missouri

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