Lights Out · Episode 284 · February 16, 2026 · 1 hr 38 min

284: The Most Hated Man in Missouri Gunned Down in Broad Daylight by Vigilantes

Up to 60 locals witnessed a vigilante killing in broad daylight— but no one said a word to the police. After the murder of Kenneth “Rex” McElroy in July 1981, county and federal grand juries did not return any indictments. Many wondered if the murder was a conspiracy concocted by the entire town, including law enforcement. After all, Ken was a well-known bad seed, with a long history of alleged rape, assault with a firearm, theft, arson, and a slew of other alleged offenses. The locals decided to bring justice to Ken when the local law enforcement couldn’t. To this day, the town of Skidmore still wonders if the murder was justified.