A Michigan woman is seeking a court declaration to declare her three missing sons dead, nearly 15 years after their father failed to return them following Thanksgiving. The disappearance of the Skelton brothers has haunted the small town of Morenci near Ohio and remains unresolved.
Authorities suspect John Skelton, the boys' father, of being responsible for their disappearance, although he has not been charged with their deaths. Skelton is set to complete a 15-year prison sentence for failing to return the boys to their mother, Tanya Zuvers, the only conviction in the case.
A Lenawee County judge will commence a hearing to hear testimony from Zuvers and police investigators who have been tirelessly searching for any trace of Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton.
Zuvers has been hoping for closure and answers regarding her sons' whereabouts since their disappearance in 2010. Despite her prayers, no new information has surfaced, leaving her heartbroken.
Legal experts suggest that declaring someone dead can provide closure for the family and may also enable them to pursue wrongful death or civil claims. The court declaration could offer Zuvers the authority to seek justice for her sons.
The Skelton brothers, aged 9, 7, and 5, vanished from Morenci, Michigan, where they lived with their father. Skelton claimed the boys were with an underground group for their safety, but investigators found his explanations to be dubious.
Despite extensive searches in Michigan and Ohio, the boys' whereabouts remain unknown. Skelton's misleading statements have led authorities on fruitless pursuits, further complicating the case.
Years later, the memory of the Skelton brothers lives on in Morenci, with a plaque bearing their names and images displayed at a local park as a reminder of the enduring hope for their safe return.
