John Skelton, father of Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton who disappeared in November 2010, has been charged with three counts of open murder and three counts of tampering with evidence. He is currently serving a sentence of 10 to 15 years for unlawful imprisonment of the three boys. The boys, aged 9, 7, and 5, were with Skelton for Thanksgiving in Morenci, Michigan, and failed to return to their mother the following day.
During investigations into the disappearance, authorities found a noose hanging from the second floor of Skelton's home, a Bible with a circled verse, and a note allegedly addressed to the boys' mother. An FBI agent testified that the note was a "passive admission to killing the children." Former Morenci Police Chief Larry Weeks also testified about online searches by Skelton concerning how to break a neck and the effectiveness of rat poison.
The boys' mother, Tanya Zuvers, had requested a legal declaration of the boys' deaths for closure and out of respect. A judge subsequently granted this request. The family of the Skelton brothers issued a statement expressing shock and heartbreak, stating their priority is to learn what happened to their sons and seek justice, and asking for privacy and respect during this difficult time.
