James Schnick

September 25, 1987. Elkland, Missouri. Early one morning, seven members of the Buckner and Schnick families were murdered. The only survivors were James Schnick and his two children. James said his nephew, 14 year old Kirk Buckner, shot him in his home and he was forced to kill him in self defense. It seemed as though Kirk had killed his family, Steve, Jan, Dennis, Tim, and Michael, and drove to his aunt and uncle’s house and killed his aunt, Julie. However, as detectives looked over the evidence, they began to notice discrepancies. Would these lead them to a different theory of what happened?

Sponsored by:

Robinhood is giving listeners of Generation Why a free stock like Apple, Ford or Sprint to help you build your portfolio. Sign up at: genwhy.robinhood.com

Sources

Boy. 14. Kills 6 in His Family; Is Slain by Uncle Los Angeles Times 9/26/1987

Under an Iron-Gray Sky, 7 in a Slain Family Are Laid to Rest The New York Times 9/29/1987

Boy’s Uncle Now Charged in Deaths of 7 in Family The New York Times 10/6/1987

In 7 Deaths, Town Knew What Experts Didn’t The New York Times 10/7/1987

Relative Held in Family Massacre Chicago Tribune 10/7/1987

Missouri Police Say His Confession Clears Dead Nephew He Tried to Frame Los Angeles Times 10/10/1987

Autopsies on 6 in Slain Family The New York Times 10/10/1987

Trial of dairy farmer enters second day UPI 4/13/1988

Death Penalty Recommended in Missouri Murders The New York Times 4/16/1988

Death Sentence in Missouri The New York Times 5/25/1988

Family That Suffered Seven Killings Now Has Five Die in Wreck AP News 11/7/1990

State of Missouri v. James E. Schnick Justia 11/19/1991

Man Given Life Terms for Slayings of Family Tulsa World 5/2/1992

Investigator reflects on tragedy The Marshfield Mail 9/27/2012