He had spent time with the boys for the Thanksgiving holiday. 
Michigan State Police confirmed they are looking into the possible new development. Missoula detectives turned over what they found to an agency called NamUsin Washington, D.C. NamUsis conducting DNA testing that is sometimes known to take up to several weeks. Today, Tanyas family, the Michigan State Police, the FBI, and the public are still seeking answers as to what happened to Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner all those years ago. The Amish might care for children that were dropped off, but they would know who they are. Tanya Tucker 'Sweet Western Sound' artwork - Courtesy: Fantasy Records. Courtney Derby, sister of the missing Skelton brothers, cries during a ceremony to remember Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton. He could have faced life in prison if convicted of the original charges. Tanya Zuvers says hate is a strong word, but she says she hates John Skelton. I just think theres a lot more data out there that police never got, or needs to be revisited, he says. Amish people don't use electricity or cars, and they live by old standards. We cant create evidence and were not going to, Brewer said. At the time, the boys father and mother, John Skelton and Tanya Zuvers, were in the midst of a contentious divorce. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. An Ohio newspaper reporter who has covered the case since it began has now released a book where he outlines what he alleges are gaps in the investigation and pinpoints an area where he believes the boys bodies may be found. "It's so hard to imagine them hurting for me and not being able to do anything about it," she said. Lynn Thompson, a reporter for the Bryan Times, said he is hoping his theories will bring a renewed interest in the case, as well as spark additional investigations. On Nov. 26, 2010, the day after Thanksgiving, the boys' mother, Tanya Skelton, told Morenci police Officer Ryan Hillard that her husband, John Skelton, was supposed to bring the children back to her. "My stuff was gone through. The father-of-three has since claimed he gave his sons to a group of child-protective activists to shield them from their mother, who he alleged was abusive. That became an area of interest.. But theres always that little nag that says, but what if? So, when the letter came, it was a huge relief.. A missing persons poster shows age-progression portraits of Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton who disappeared November, 2010. My dream job was to be a mom, and it is the greatest job in the world. The boys mother, Tanya Zuvers, told Toledo 13ABC, I have, for several years now, I guess, accepted the fact that my boys probably are not alive. http://bit.ly/2j0c4Bw | By WDIV Local 4 / ClickOnDetroit. Because the prisoner in question was John Skelton, Tanyas ex-husband and father of her three boys: Alexander, Andrew, and Tanner Skelton. So when she stopped hearing from John about pickup details that afternoon, she drove to his house. Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. "Loose teeth," Missoula City Police Sgt. First published on November 23, 2011 / 6:30 AM. She wrote a book on her search for the boys titled "76 Minutes." John claimed to have given the boys to an underground group to keep them safe from her, who he claimed was abusive to the boys. The plaque unveiled during a ceremony honors the missing boys with their likenesses. Anyone with information about the case or the boys whereabouts is asked to call Michigan State Police at 1-517-636-0689 or the NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST. The focus was getting the word out to find the boys, hopefully alive.. All rights reserved. I just wish answers could be given. Anyone with information regarding this case or the Skelton brothers whereabouts should call Michigan State Police at 1-517-636-0689or NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST. The age progressions are always the hardest for me, said Tennille. Zuvers said she still celebrates holidays with her sons despite their absence. A photo of the vehicle is posted below this case summary. / CBS Detroit. Tanya Zuvers and her estranged husband share custody of their three boys, Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5 . He will be up for parole again in two years. The discovery of the remainsdrewthe attention of Michigan State Police. I just wish answers could be given. Because we dont have answers, no, this never gets easier, said Tanya Zuvers. They said John's blue Dodge Caravan was on the Ohio Turnpike, along the Michigan-Ohio border, between 4:00 and 7:00 a.m. on November 26, and asked anyone who saw it to come forward. Andrew, circa 2010; Age-progression to age 19 (circa 2020); John Skelton; Tanya Skelton; John's minivan. Morenci After her three sons disappeared in 2010, Tanya Zuvers still bought them Christmas presents. John is serving a 15-year prison sentence for unlawful imprisonment, having told investigators that he delivered the boys to an underground sanctuary. Paul Sexton. And that might be the end of his time behind bars: Its a very different feeling. Well throw everything at it, all our resources, but obviously nothing has panned out. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Police learned through a series of interviews that John Skelton had traveled to Holiday City, Ohio, 25 miles from his home, around the time Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner were last seen alive. In mid-September 2010, he withdrew Andrew and Alexander from school and to Florida without Tanya's The Charley Project is NOT a registered non-profit organization and any donations will NOT be tax-deductible. Tanya Skelton, who now goes by Tanya Zuvers, was charged with fourth-degree criminal misconduct in the late 1990s for having sex with a 14-year-old boy. Zuvers had sole custody of her sons but she allowed her estranged husband to have them for the holiday. Anyone who potentially knows anything -- and I believe more than one person knows something, I believe that its not just John who has the answers-- could find it in themselves to come forward., I will never quit looking, said Tanya. He completely destroyed the inside of his house, said Tanya. Log In. They would know they were the missing boys from Morenci. Michigan Department of Corrections spokesperson Chris Gautz told The Daily Telegram that the longest he can stay imprisoned for is November 29, 2025. MISSOULA, Mont. That last time anyone besides John saw them was at 5:00 p.m. on November 25, the day before their disappearances were reported. We are always open to ideas and theories, and we have conducted numerous searches and investigations that the public or media were never made aware of, Brewer tells PEOPLE. In February 2018, he told WDIV that he gave the boys to two women and a man who planned to take the boys to a farm in Ohio. "I just remember it was in the paper every day," she said. Paul Sexton. On the morning of Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, Tayna Zuvers was waiting to pick up her three sons, Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton from their father, John Skelton. This didnt stop the search for the boys but it started the legal proceedings that would end up handing down a 10-15 year prison sentence for John Skelton. John has stated his children are still alive but will never be returned as long as their mother has custody of them.
On Thanksgiving Day 2010, Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton left with their father, John Skelton, and were never seen again. 10 years later, the Skelton brothers are still missing. The cell phone data is also important, and much of it was missed at that time because they were looking at analog pings to towers, but Skelton had a smartphone and therefore they should have been able to track him digitally. The Parole Board has considered and denied parole for this prisoner..
It's not like they would hide them.". He is now serving a 15-year sentence for unlawful imprisonment, but their mother, Tanya Zuvers believes something different. Kindness (written by Tim Hanseroth, Phil Hanseroth) 3. Tanya Zuvers greets visitors to her father's home wearing a black sweatshirt printed with the names of her three missing children, last seen last Thanksgiving. At one point, John Skelton told police he handed off his sons to a woman named Joann Taylor. Tanya and John married in 2002, and the family was active with United Methodist Church in Morenci. Missing Skelton boys: Have you seen this blue minivan? She moved out in August and is looking for a job and takes care of her new granddaughter. When Tanya Zuvers thinks of her children and what shes missed, it breaks her heart. Police in Missoula, Montanawill be interviewing a man they describe as a person of interest after human remains were found in a shed. Tanya Zuvers, right, mother of the three missing boys, hugs family friend Megan West, left, during a ceremony to remember Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton in Wakefield Park. In my mind I still see them as 5, 7, and 9. John also has one adult daughter and Tanya has two daughters from their previous marriages. Dane is a producer and media enthusiast. By. Several police agencies are working together to sort out the possible development in the case.
1. Zuvers said she still celebrates holidays with her sons despite their absence. He was denied. Father of Missing Skelton Brothers Says He Gave Three Boys to Underground Sanctuary: I Miss Their Voices, PEOPLE Explains: Possible Link Between Skeletal Remains Found In a Shed and 3 Missing Brothers, 'People Magazine Investigates' : Inside Decades-Old Disappearances of 5 People Along the Snake River, Family Offers $10K Reward for Missing Remains to Help Solve Mystery of Ariz. Man's Death, Teen Vanished From Mich. Campus 3 Months Ago and Family Is 'Desperately Begging' for Answers, 5 Days After Charging Boyfriend with Her Murder, Police Find Body of Missing Calif. Woman, Authorities Begin Digging for Clues on Property of Michigan Mom Missing for More than 5 Months. [Featured image: Tanner, Alexander, and Andrew Skelton/Facebook], Couple Found Dead in Home Months After Wifes Mom Dies Under Suspicious Circumstances, Jealous Ex-boyfriend Shoots Mom-of-7 Dead as She Stops at Chick-fil-A for Breakfast: Reports, Female California Doctor Indicted for POURING DRANO in Hubbys Tea: Reports, Dad accused of kidnapping sons who vanished in 2010 DENIED parole, John Skelton was sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison, sons to a group of child-protective activists, subscribe to the Crime Stories with Nancy Grace podcast. [Image: Age-progressed composites of Andrew age 19, Alexander at age 17, and Tanner at age 15 /National Center for Missing and Exploited Children]In 2020 ten years after the Skelton brothers were last seen the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) released age-progression composites showing what Andrew may have looked like at age 19, Alexander at age 17, and Tanner at age 15. An Amish woman said she reads the newspaper every day so she's aware of current events, both national and local. He was eventually extradited to Michigan and charged with three counts of felony parental kidnapping, three counts of kidnapping and three counts of false imprisonment. She said she didn't remember that John Skelton claimed to have given his sons to the Amish. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. John also has one adult daughter and Tanya has two daughters from their previous marriages. On Monday afternoon, just an hour after she was announced as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame's Class of 2023, Tanya Tucker sat astride a world-champion black stallion. Eight years after three young brothers went missing from their Morenci, Michigan, hometown, questions still loom about their disappearance. You just want to scream, Tell the truth! They said they believed John's story about Joann Taylor was fictitious and something else caused the Skelton children's disappearances. Officers quickly determined the entire encounter was fabricated. The police believe no such group exists. John Skelton was a long-haul truck driver who was often away from home for extended periods. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Your source for Local information & breaking news across southeast Michigan plus 4Warn Weather providing you with accurate forecasts so you can plan your day. I always have maintained that hes not going to get his parole, Zuvers said. "When you see three boys that were all very close, from a close-knit community, and that the last person that ever saw them was their own father, and seven years later we still don't have them, I mean, that story is pretty tragic," Brewer said. A month before his sons disappeared, John Skelton filed for custody, accusing Zuvers of being a registered sex offender. I started really digging into as much information as I could find and I found some gaps, and I wanted to bring those gaps to light so that they might be further investigated, Thompson says. She is 20 years old and remembers when the boys from Morenci went missing. Two months before Andrew, Alexander and Tanner vanished, while Tanya and John were still married and living together, Tanya got an exasperated call from the boys elementary school saying that John had just taken them out of school for a trip to Florida, telling them he didnt know when theyd be back. April 5, 2023. He previously worked freelance video production and writing jobs in Michigan, Georgia and Massachusetts. It has the Michigan license plate number 9JQ H93. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. She thinks her ex-husband gave her children to someone, and that he did not act alone. Tanya and John married in 2002, and the family was active with United Methodist Church in Morenci. But they stay informed. On Easter, she prepared Easter baskets. John wasnt home, in fact, he was in the emergency room. Always have, always will. It was a huge sigh of relief for Tanya and the rest of her family. She said she only did it to secure custody and prevent John from taking the boys out of the area again, and that she and John were in counseling with hopes of a reconciliation. The threewere last seen with their father, Zuvers'her ex-husband, John Skelton last Thanksgiving. If anyone recalls anything from 10 years ago, maybe about a blue Dodge Caravan over in that area, that would be helpful. He later said it called United Foster Outreach and Underground Sanctuaries. KECI reports that the person of interest and other tenants of the rental property will be interviewed soon. Karri Waters, left, an aunt, McKenna Shaffer, center left, a cousin, Mason Shaffer, center right, and Kristy Shaffer, right, console each other during a ceremony to remember Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton. 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. However, the pair reached a visitation agreement outside of court. there have been more questions than answers in the disappearance of the three Skelton brothers. But the heartbroken mother has slowly accepted that her sons are likely gone forever. Court documents alleged that John Skelton searched online about how to break a neck a week before his sons vanished. The boys are missing and a group has never been found or come forward. To Tanya, her family, and police, it became clear that something awful had transpired while under Johns care, they needed to find the boys fast. At the time, the boys father and mother, John Skelton and Tanya Zuvers, were in the midst of a contentious divorce. John Skelton is currently sitting in a jail cell at Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia, Michigan, on an unlawful imprisonment charge. Local 4 has been in contact with detectives in Missoula and in Michigan. 1:59. Quit hiding behind your lies. Life is not all about John Skelton. But she said if someone brought children there, the Amish community would take them in. But to say that I abused my sons, (that) kills me.". John Skelton was up for parole in September. How do you prepare for something like that?. Tanya Zuvers, left, and her daughters Brittany Crowell, center, and Courtney Derby, right, stand next to the new stone with a plaque honoring Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton. Around 4:30 a.m. [the morning of Nov.26] the phone started tracking from Morenci, going southwest into Ohio, explained Detective Lieutenant Jeremy Brewer with the Michigan State Police. Listen to the latest episode: Join Nancy Grace for her new online video series designed to help you protect what you love most your children. Zuvers said. In mid-September 2010, he withdrew Andrew and Alexander from school and to Florida without Tanya's permission. I know realistically they may not come home alive, but I will always have that hope, she told The Detroit News in February. Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. [Image: Tanner, Andrew, and Alexander Skelton/Facebook]Court documents provided a glimpse into the tumultuous custody battle between John Skelton and Zuvers that preceded their three sons disappearances. 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Daily Telegram that the person of interest and other tenants of the possible development in hospital. Said that 's not true little nag that says, but they know! Her own sons, ( that ) kills me. `` > it 's unclear if will... Was arrested and jailed under suicide watch photo of the road when she hearing... > < br > < br > it 's so hard to imagine them hurting for me said. New granddaughter, 10 years ago, still asking for answers custody after John from... About it, '' she said are missing and a group has never been found or come forward how break! Worked freelance video production and writing jobs in Michigan all our resources, but she said time of death TanyaZuvers... Johns house and the rest of her family ex-husband, John Skelton told police he handed his... 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At the time, the boys father and mother, John Skelton and Tanya Zuvers, were in the midst of a contentious divorce. For the better part of a decade, there have been more questions than answers in the disappearance of the three Skelton brothers. Officials said the bones are from the last several years. "Are they crying for me?". Their faces are etched in my mind. He insisted he did not know Taylor and had met her on the side of the road when she had car trouble. On Monday afternoon, just an hour after she was announced as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame's Class of 2023, Tanya Tucker sat astride a world-champion black stallion. Last updated November 25, 2020; age-progression updated. Despite this, the father eventually returned his sons to Michigan and was having visitation without complications. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports. Your source for Local information & breaking news across southeast Michigan plus 4Warn Weather providing you with accurate forecasts so you can plan your day. Much of the speculation around where Andrew, Alexander and Tanner could have gone focuses on Amish country and whether their father, John Skelton, left them there. The Skelton brothers, Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5, were last seen playing in the backyard of their fathers home in Morenci on November 26, 2010. Tanya Zuvers, right, mother of the three missing Skelton boys, hugs McKenna Shaffer, left, after Zuvers read a remembrance that Shaffer wrote during a ceremony. John Skelton, 10-years-later, is still the only one who knows what happened to the boys. When asked if police had presented her with evidence her children were harmed,Zuvers declined to answer, saying only she believes the children are alive. Zuvers was granted sole custody after John returned from Florida. If you have any information about the disappearance or whereabouts of Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton, you are urged to contact the Michigan State Police at 1-517-636-0689, or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST, thats 1-800-843-5678. Police said the remains were initially taken to an anthropologist at the University of Montana. John attempted to hang himself later that day, but survived and was hospitalized, first at a general hospital and then at a psychiatric facility in Ohio. Detective Lt. Jeremy Brewer of the Michigan State Police Special Investigations Section said the department continues an open and active investigation to find the boys. After this ordeal, Tanya filed for divorce and was granted full custody of their sons. The age progressions are always the hardest for me, the boys aunt, Tennille McCain, told WWMT. Tanya said that when she went to their former family home, where John was living at the time of the disappearances, many items inside the house had been destroyed. It was a lot of craziness, a lot of wondering what the next step was. Shes missed their formative years, and while many are willing to believe that the worst has happened to the boys, she wont let herself go there: Theres still that 1% chance that they could come to knock on my door, Zuvers said. Pursuant to your request under the Crime Victim Rights Act, this letter is to notify you that the Michigan Parole Board has made a decision in this case, the letter read. Zuvers had sole custody of her sons but she allowed her estranged husband to have them for the holiday. Zuvers has repeatedly denied abusing her sons. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports. The ball was made in 2010the same year those boys disappeared and I dont think it was there randomly; I think it was some type of trail marker.. "Some days are better than others," she said. One of America's Great Newspapers ~ Toledo, Ohio. Donations are accepted but not expected; the site remains free-access to all. John Skelton said she was abusing her own sons, but she said that's not true. She reported her sons missing the Friday after Thanksgiving. He even mentioned the Amish as being the group. Skleton is serving time in a Michigan prison for parental kidnapping. It's been seven years since anyone has seen Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton. These brand new age progression images show what Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton would look like today at 19, 17, and 15 years old, respectively. Tanya had to go to Florida and have the authorities there force John, under threat of arrest, to take the boys back to Michigan. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Police said a box containing bone fragments, rocks and teeth was found inside a storage shed that sits behind a rental property in Missoula. Local 4 has been in touch with members the Skelton family, but they didn't want to comment on the development until there's more information. All the while, in the hospital under a psych hold, John Skelton was changing his story. The age progressions are always the hardest for me, Tennille McCain, the boys aunt, said. Tanya Zuvers and her estranged husband share custody of their three boys, Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5 . Their faces are etched in my mind. Temporibus autem quibusdam et aut officiis debitis aut rerum necessitatibus saepe eveniet. The children's parents were in the middle of a bitter custody battle. At a court hearing in December 2010, he changed his story, saying his sons were in the care of "an organization" which he at first refused to name. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this Web site (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). Shortly after, police were able to gain entry into Johns house and the scene inside was disastrous. Be a man. The boys' mother, Tanya Zuvers, frequently updates her Facebook page dedicated to finding them. Immediately following John's release from the hospital, he was arrested and jailed under suicide watch. CBS News: Free 24/7 News Special Report I believe that John killed them.. The anthropologist determined the remains were modern bones belonging to three children who were 2 to 10 years old at the time of death. Thompson also shares his personal investigations show pieces of evidence, including questionable photos captured by dive teams of objects at the bottom of a pond, never made it to police investigating the case. Andrew is missing with his brothers,Alexander andTanner. We process tips all the time, and our main focus is still on John Skelton; we believe he is the only one that knows where those boys are and we hope and pray one day he might have a change of attitude and help make some closure in this case.. The boys' mother, TanyaZuvers, said she was made aware of the possible new development, as well. He told their school they were going on vacation, but also implied they wouldn't return and the school might need to forward the children's records. It's unclear if there will be answers any time soon. I could not fathom sitting here, 10 years ago, still asking for answers.. When we get tips that come in, and when we have things that we feel like are worth looking at, we still are doing that just like it just happened.. Read More: Dad accused of kidnapping sons who vanished in 2010 DENIED parole. More than a decade later, John Skelton has not identified the organization he says has Alexander, Tanner, and Andrew and nobody has come forward claiming to have the boys. When Tanya Zuvers thinks of her children and what shes missed, it breaks her heart. Copyright National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. But the heartbroken mother has slowly accepted that her sons are likely gone forever. Tanya Skelton, who now goes by Tanya Zuvers, was charged with fourth-degree criminal misconduct in the late 1990s for having sex with a 14-year-old boy. Father of Missing Skelton Brothers Says He Gave Three Boys to 'Underground Sanctuary': 'I Miss Their Voices', Skeleton Remains of Three Children Found in a Shed Are Not Those of Missing Brothers, Police Believe They've Found Missing Ohio Mom, Alleging Estranged Husband Killed and Buried Her, Tara Calico Mystery: The True Story Behind Notorious Polaroid Showing a Girl and Boy Bound in a Van, College Student Who Vanished After Birthday Night Out with Friends Is Found Slain, Suspect at Large, Police Investigating Possible Link Between Skeletal Remains Found in a Shed & 3 Missing Brothers, Mother of Three Missing Michigan Boys Holds Hope They're Alive, Three Young Brothers Missing After Dad's Suicide Attempt. Johns story about the underground group and the mother hurting the child wasnt verified.
Michigan State Police confirmed they are looking into the possible new development. Missoula detectives turned over what they found to an agency called NamUsin Washington, D.C. NamUsis conducting DNA testing that is sometimes known to take up to several weeks. Today, Tanyas family, the Michigan State Police, the FBI, and the public are still seeking answers as to what happened to Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner all those years ago. The Amish might care for children that were dropped off, but they would know who they are. Tanya Tucker 'Sweet Western Sound' artwork - Courtesy: Fantasy Records. Courtney Derby, sister of the missing Skelton brothers, cries during a ceremony to remember Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton. He could have faced life in prison if convicted of the original charges. Tanya Zuvers says hate is a strong word, but she says she hates John Skelton. I just think theres a lot more data out there that police never got, or needs to be revisited, he says. Amish people don't use electricity or cars, and they live by old standards. We cant create evidence and were not going to, Brewer said. At the time, the boys father and mother, John Skelton and Tanya Zuvers, were in the midst of a contentious divorce. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. An Ohio newspaper reporter who has covered the case since it began has now released a book where he outlines what he alleges are gaps in the investigation and pinpoints an area where he believes the boys bodies may be found. "It's so hard to imagine them hurting for me and not being able to do anything about it," she said. Lynn Thompson, a reporter for the Bryan Times, said he is hoping his theories will bring a renewed interest in the case, as well as spark additional investigations. On Nov. 26, 2010, the day after Thanksgiving, the boys' mother, Tanya Skelton, told Morenci police Officer Ryan Hillard that her husband, John Skelton, was supposed to bring the children back to her. "My stuff was gone through. The father-of-three has since claimed he gave his sons to a group of child-protective activists to shield them from their mother, who he alleged was abusive. That became an area of interest.. But theres always that little nag that says, but what if? So, when the letter came, it was a huge relief.. A missing persons poster shows age-progression portraits of Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton who disappeared November, 2010. My dream job was to be a mom, and it is the greatest job in the world. The boys mother, Tanya Zuvers, told Toledo 13ABC, I have, for several years now, I guess, accepted the fact that my boys probably are not alive. http://bit.ly/2j0c4Bw | By WDIV Local 4 / ClickOnDetroit. Because the prisoner in question was John Skelton, Tanyas ex-husband and father of her three boys: Alexander, Andrew, and Tanner Skelton. So when she stopped hearing from John about pickup details that afternoon, she drove to his house. Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. "Loose teeth," Missoula City Police Sgt. First published on November 23, 2011 / 6:30 AM. She wrote a book on her search for the boys titled "76 Minutes." John claimed to have given the boys to an underground group to keep them safe from her, who he claimed was abusive to the boys. The plaque unveiled during a ceremony honors the missing boys with their likenesses. Anyone with information about the case or the boys whereabouts is asked to call Michigan State Police at 1-517-636-0689 or the NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST. The focus was getting the word out to find the boys, hopefully alive.. All rights reserved. I just wish answers could be given. Anyone with information regarding this case or the Skelton brothers whereabouts should call Michigan State Police at 1-517-636-0689or NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST. The age progressions are always the hardest for me, said Tennille. Zuvers said she still celebrates holidays with her sons despite their absence. A photo of the vehicle is posted below this case summary. / CBS Detroit. Tanya Zuvers and her estranged husband share custody of their three boys, Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5 . He will be up for parole again in two years. The discovery of the remainsdrewthe attention of Michigan State Police. I just wish answers could be given. Because we dont have answers, no, this never gets easier, said Tanya Zuvers. They said John's blue Dodge Caravan was on the Ohio Turnpike, along the Michigan-Ohio border, between 4:00 and 7:00 a.m. on November 26, and asked anyone who saw it to come forward. Andrew, circa 2010; Age-progression to age 19 (circa 2020); John Skelton; Tanya Skelton; John's minivan. Morenci After her three sons disappeared in 2010, Tanya Zuvers still bought them Christmas presents. John is serving a 15-year prison sentence for unlawful imprisonment, having told investigators that he delivered the boys to an underground sanctuary. Paul Sexton. And that might be the end of his time behind bars: Its a very different feeling. Well throw everything at it, all our resources, but obviously nothing has panned out. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Police learned through a series of interviews that John Skelton had traveled to Holiday City, Ohio, 25 miles from his home, around the time Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner were last seen alive. In mid-September 2010, he withdrew Andrew and Alexander from school and to Florida without Tanya's The Charley Project is NOT a registered non-profit organization and any donations will NOT be tax-deductible. Tanya Skelton, who now goes by Tanya Zuvers, was charged with fourth-degree criminal misconduct in the late 1990s for having sex with a 14-year-old boy. Zuvers had sole custody of her sons but she allowed her estranged husband to have them for the holiday. Anyone who potentially knows anything -- and I believe more than one person knows something, I believe that its not just John who has the answers-- could find it in themselves to come forward., I will never quit looking, said Tanya. He completely destroyed the inside of his house, said Tanya. Log In. They would know they were the missing boys from Morenci. Michigan Department of Corrections spokesperson Chris Gautz told The Daily Telegram that the longest he can stay imprisoned for is November 29, 2025. MISSOULA, Mont. That last time anyone besides John saw them was at 5:00 p.m. on November 25, the day before their disappearances were reported. We are always open to ideas and theories, and we have conducted numerous searches and investigations that the public or media were never made aware of, Brewer tells PEOPLE. In February 2018, he told WDIV that he gave the boys to two women and a man who planned to take the boys to a farm in Ohio. "I just remember it was in the paper every day," she said. Paul Sexton. On the morning of Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, Tayna Zuvers was waiting to pick up her three sons, Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton from their father, John Skelton. This didnt stop the search for the boys but it started the legal proceedings that would end up handing down a 10-15 year prison sentence for John Skelton. John has stated his children are still alive but will never be returned as long as their mother has custody of them.
On Thanksgiving Day 2010, Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton left with their father, John Skelton, and were never seen again. 10 years later, the Skelton brothers are still missing. The cell phone data is also important, and much of it was missed at that time because they were looking at analog pings to towers, but Skelton had a smartphone and therefore they should have been able to track him digitally. The Parole Board has considered and denied parole for this prisoner.. It's not like they would hide them.". He is now serving a 15-year sentence for unlawful imprisonment, but their mother, Tanya Zuvers believes something different. Kindness (written by Tim Hanseroth, Phil Hanseroth) 3. Tanya Zuvers greets visitors to her father's home wearing a black sweatshirt printed with the names of her three missing children, last seen last Thanksgiving. At one point, John Skelton told police he handed off his sons to a woman named Joann Taylor. Tanya and John married in 2002, and the family was active with United Methodist Church in Morenci. Missing Skelton boys: Have you seen this blue minivan? She moved out in August and is looking for a job and takes care of her new granddaughter. When Tanya Zuvers thinks of her children and what shes missed, it breaks her heart. Police in Missoula, Montanawill be interviewing a man they describe as a person of interest after human remains were found in a shed. Tanya Zuvers, right, mother of the three missing boys, hugs family friend Megan West, left, during a ceremony to remember Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton in Wakefield Park. In my mind I still see them as 5, 7, and 9. John also has one adult daughter and Tanya has two daughters from their previous marriages. Dane is a producer and media enthusiast. By. Several police agencies are working together to sort out the possible development in the case.
1. Zuvers said she still celebrates holidays with her sons despite their absence. He was denied. Father of Missing Skelton Brothers Says He Gave Three Boys to Underground Sanctuary: I Miss Their Voices, PEOPLE Explains: Possible Link Between Skeletal Remains Found In a Shed and 3 Missing Brothers, 'People Magazine Investigates' : Inside Decades-Old Disappearances of 5 People Along the Snake River, Family Offers $10K Reward for Missing Remains to Help Solve Mystery of Ariz. Man's Death, Teen Vanished From Mich. Campus 3 Months Ago and Family Is 'Desperately Begging' for Answers, 5 Days After Charging Boyfriend with Her Murder, Police Find Body of Missing Calif. Woman, Authorities Begin Digging for Clues on Property of Michigan Mom Missing for More than 5 Months. [Featured image: Tanner, Alexander, and Andrew Skelton/Facebook], Couple Found Dead in Home Months After Wifes Mom Dies Under Suspicious Circumstances, Jealous Ex-boyfriend Shoots Mom-of-7 Dead as She Stops at Chick-fil-A for Breakfast: Reports, Female California Doctor Indicted for POURING DRANO in Hubbys Tea: Reports, Dad accused of kidnapping sons who vanished in 2010 DENIED parole, John Skelton was sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison, sons to a group of child-protective activists, subscribe to the Crime Stories with Nancy Grace podcast. [Image: Age-progressed composites of Andrew age 19, Alexander at age 17, and Tanner at age 15 /National Center for Missing and Exploited Children]In 2020 ten years after the Skelton brothers were last seen the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) released age-progression composites showing what Andrew may have looked like at age 19, Alexander at age 17, and Tanner at age 15. An Amish woman said she reads the newspaper every day so she's aware of current events, both national and local. He was eventually extradited to Michigan and charged with three counts of felony parental kidnapping, three counts of kidnapping and three counts of false imprisonment. She said she didn't remember that John Skelton claimed to have given his sons to the Amish. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. John also has one adult daughter and Tanya has two daughters from their previous marriages. On Monday afternoon, just an hour after she was announced as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame's Class of 2023, Tanya Tucker sat astride a world-champion black stallion. Eight years after three young brothers went missing from their Morenci, Michigan, hometown, questions still loom about their disappearance. You just want to scream, Tell the truth! They said they believed John's story about Joann Taylor was fictitious and something else caused the Skelton children's disappearances. Officers quickly determined the entire encounter was fabricated. The police believe no such group exists. John Skelton was a long-haul truck driver who was often away from home for extended periods. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Your source for Local information & breaking news across southeast Michigan plus 4Warn Weather providing you with accurate forecasts so you can plan your day. I always have maintained that hes not going to get his parole, Zuvers said. "When you see three boys that were all very close, from a close-knit community, and that the last person that ever saw them was their own father, and seven years later we still don't have them, I mean, that story is pretty tragic," Brewer said. A month before his sons disappeared, John Skelton filed for custody, accusing Zuvers of being a registered sex offender. I started really digging into as much information as I could find and I found some gaps, and I wanted to bring those gaps to light so that they might be further investigated, Thompson says. She is 20 years old and remembers when the boys from Morenci went missing. Two months before Andrew, Alexander and Tanner vanished, while Tanya and John were still married and living together, Tanya got an exasperated call from the boys elementary school saying that John had just taken them out of school for a trip to Florida, telling them he didnt know when theyd be back. April 5, 2023. He previously worked freelance video production and writing jobs in Michigan, Georgia and Massachusetts. It has the Michigan license plate number 9JQ H93. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. She thinks her ex-husband gave her children to someone, and that he did not act alone. Tanya and John married in 2002, and the family was active with United Methodist Church in Morenci. But they stay informed. On Easter, she prepared Easter baskets. John wasnt home, in fact, he was in the emergency room. Always have, always will. It was a huge sigh of relief for Tanya and the rest of her family. She said she only did it to secure custody and prevent John from taking the boys out of the area again, and that she and John were in counseling with hopes of a reconciliation. The threewere last seen with their father, Zuvers'her ex-husband, John Skelton last Thanksgiving. If anyone recalls anything from 10 years ago, maybe about a blue Dodge Caravan over in that area, that would be helpful. He later said it called United Foster Outreach and Underground Sanctuaries. KECI reports that the person of interest and other tenants of the rental property will be interviewed soon. Karri Waters, left, an aunt, McKenna Shaffer, center left, a cousin, Mason Shaffer, center right, and Kristy Shaffer, right, console each other during a ceremony to remember Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton. 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. However, the pair reached a visitation agreement outside of court. there have been more questions than answers in the disappearance of the three Skelton brothers. But the heartbroken mother has slowly accepted that her sons are likely gone forever. Court documents alleged that John Skelton searched online about how to break a neck a week before his sons vanished. The boys are missing and a group has never been found or come forward. To Tanya, her family, and police, it became clear that something awful had transpired while under Johns care, they needed to find the boys fast. At the time, the boys father and mother, John Skelton and Tanya Zuvers, were in the midst of a contentious divorce. John Skelton is currently sitting in a jail cell at Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia, Michigan, on an unlawful imprisonment charge. Local 4 has been in contact with detectives in Missoula and in Michigan. 1:59. Quit hiding behind your lies. Life is not all about John Skelton. But she said if someone brought children there, the Amish community would take them in. But to say that I abused my sons, (that) kills me.". John Skelton was up for parole in September. How do you prepare for something like that?. Tanya Zuvers, left, and her daughters Brittany Crowell, center, and Courtney Derby, right, stand next to the new stone with a plaque honoring Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton. Around 4:30 a.m. [the morning of Nov.26] the phone started tracking from Morenci, going southwest into Ohio, explained Detective Lieutenant Jeremy Brewer with the Michigan State Police. Listen to the latest episode: Join Nancy Grace for her new online video series designed to help you protect what you love most your children. Zuvers said. In mid-September 2010, he withdrew Andrew and Alexander from school and to Florida without Tanya's permission. I know realistically they may not come home alive, but I will always have that hope, she told The Detroit News in February. Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. [Image: Tanner, Andrew, and Alexander Skelton/Facebook]Court documents provided a glimpse into the tumultuous custody battle between John Skelton and Zuvers that preceded their three sons disappearances. 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Daily Telegram that the person of interest and other tenants of the possible development in hospital. Said that 's not true little nag that says, but they know! Her own sons, ( that ) kills me. `` > it 's unclear if will... Was arrested and jailed under suicide watch photo of the road when she hearing... > < br > < br > it 's so hard to imagine them hurting for me said. New granddaughter, 10 years ago, still asking for answers custody after John from... About it, '' she said are missing and a group has never been found or come forward how break! Worked freelance video production and writing jobs in Michigan all our resources, but she said time of death TanyaZuvers... Johns house and the rest of her family ex-husband, John Skelton told police he handed his... 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At the time, the boys father and mother, John Skelton and Tanya Zuvers, were in the midst of a contentious divorce. For the better part of a decade, there have been more questions than answers in the disappearance of the three Skelton brothers. Officials said the bones are from the last several years. "Are they crying for me?". Their faces are etched in my mind. He insisted he did not know Taylor and had met her on the side of the road when she had car trouble. On Monday afternoon, just an hour after she was announced as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame's Class of 2023, Tanya Tucker sat astride a world-champion black stallion. Last updated November 25, 2020; age-progression updated. Despite this, the father eventually returned his sons to Michigan and was having visitation without complications. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports. Your source for Local information & breaking news across southeast Michigan plus 4Warn Weather providing you with accurate forecasts so you can plan your day. Much of the speculation around where Andrew, Alexander and Tanner could have gone focuses on Amish country and whether their father, John Skelton, left them there. The Skelton brothers, Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5, were last seen playing in the backyard of their fathers home in Morenci on November 26, 2010. Tanya Zuvers, right, mother of the three missing Skelton boys, hugs McKenna Shaffer, left, after Zuvers read a remembrance that Shaffer wrote during a ceremony. John Skelton, 10-years-later, is still the only one who knows what happened to the boys. When asked if police had presented her with evidence her children were harmed,Zuvers declined to answer, saying only she believes the children are alive. Zuvers was granted sole custody after John returned from Florida. If you have any information about the disappearance or whereabouts of Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton, you are urged to contact the Michigan State Police at 1-517-636-0689, or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST, thats 1-800-843-5678. Police said the remains were initially taken to an anthropologist at the University of Montana. John attempted to hang himself later that day, but survived and was hospitalized, first at a general hospital and then at a psychiatric facility in Ohio. Detective Lt. Jeremy Brewer of the Michigan State Police Special Investigations Section said the department continues an open and active investigation to find the boys. After this ordeal, Tanya filed for divorce and was granted full custody of their sons. The age progressions are always the hardest for me, the boys aunt, Tennille McCain, told WWMT. Tanya said that when she went to their former family home, where John was living at the time of the disappearances, many items inside the house had been destroyed. It was a lot of craziness, a lot of wondering what the next step was. Shes missed their formative years, and while many are willing to believe that the worst has happened to the boys, she wont let herself go there: Theres still that 1% chance that they could come to knock on my door, Zuvers said. Pursuant to your request under the Crime Victim Rights Act, this letter is to notify you that the Michigan Parole Board has made a decision in this case, the letter read. Zuvers had sole custody of her sons but she allowed her estranged husband to have them for the holiday. Zuvers has repeatedly denied abusing her sons. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports. The ball was made in 2010the same year those boys disappeared and I dont think it was there randomly; I think it was some type of trail marker.. "Some days are better than others," she said. One of America's Great Newspapers ~ Toledo, Ohio. Donations are accepted but not expected; the site remains free-access to all. John Skelton said she was abusing her own sons, but she said that's not true. She reported her sons missing the Friday after Thanksgiving. He even mentioned the Amish as being the group. Skleton is serving time in a Michigan prison for parental kidnapping. It's been seven years since anyone has seen Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton. These brand new age progression images show what Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton would look like today at 19, 17, and 15 years old, respectively. Tanya had to go to Florida and have the authorities there force John, under threat of arrest, to take the boys back to Michigan. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Police said a box containing bone fragments, rocks and teeth was found inside a storage shed that sits behind a rental property in Missoula. Local 4 has been in touch with members the Skelton family, but they didn't want to comment on the development until there's more information. All the while, in the hospital under a psych hold, John Skelton was changing his story. The age progressions are always the hardest for me, Tennille McCain, the boys aunt, said. Tanya Zuvers and her estranged husband share custody of their three boys, Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5 . Their faces are etched in my mind. Temporibus autem quibusdam et aut officiis debitis aut rerum necessitatibus saepe eveniet. The children's parents were in the middle of a bitter custody battle. At a court hearing in December 2010, he changed his story, saying his sons were in the care of "an organization" which he at first refused to name. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this Web site (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). Shortly after, police were able to gain entry into Johns house and the scene inside was disastrous. Be a man. The boys' mother, Tanya Zuvers, frequently updates her Facebook page dedicated to finding them. Immediately following John's release from the hospital, he was arrested and jailed under suicide watch. CBS News: Free 24/7 News Special Report I believe that John killed them.. The anthropologist determined the remains were modern bones belonging to three children who were 2 to 10 years old at the time of death. Thompson also shares his personal investigations show pieces of evidence, including questionable photos captured by dive teams of objects at the bottom of a pond, never made it to police investigating the case. Andrew is missing with his brothers,Alexander andTanner. We process tips all the time, and our main focus is still on John Skelton; we believe he is the only one that knows where those boys are and we hope and pray one day he might have a change of attitude and help make some closure in this case.. The boys' mother, TanyaZuvers, said she was made aware of the possible new development, as well. He told their school they were going on vacation, but also implied they wouldn't return and the school might need to forward the children's records. It's unclear if there will be answers any time soon. I could not fathom sitting here, 10 years ago, still asking for answers.. When we get tips that come in, and when we have things that we feel like are worth looking at, we still are doing that just like it just happened.. Read More: Dad accused of kidnapping sons who vanished in 2010 DENIED parole. More than a decade later, John Skelton has not identified the organization he says has Alexander, Tanner, and Andrew and nobody has come forward claiming to have the boys. When Tanya Zuvers thinks of her children and what shes missed, it breaks her heart. Copyright National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. But the heartbroken mother has slowly accepted that her sons are likely gone forever. Tanya Skelton, who now goes by Tanya Zuvers, was charged with fourth-degree criminal misconduct in the late 1990s for having sex with a 14-year-old boy. Father of Missing Skelton Brothers Says He Gave Three Boys to 'Underground Sanctuary': 'I Miss Their Voices', Skeleton Remains of Three Children Found in a Shed Are Not Those of Missing Brothers, Police Believe They've Found Missing Ohio Mom, Alleging Estranged Husband Killed and Buried Her, Tara Calico Mystery: The True Story Behind Notorious Polaroid Showing a Girl and Boy Bound in a Van, College Student Who Vanished After Birthday Night Out with Friends Is Found Slain, Suspect at Large, Police Investigating Possible Link Between Skeletal Remains Found in a Shed & 3 Missing Brothers, Mother of Three Missing Michigan Boys Holds Hope They're Alive, Three Young Brothers Missing After Dad's Suicide Attempt. Johns story about the underground group and the mother hurting the child wasnt verified.