Heartbreaking Plea: Michigan Mother Seeks Judicial Declaration of Her Three Missing Sons’ Deaths Nearly 15 Years On

A Michigan mother, Tanya Zuvers, is asking a judge to declare her three sons missing for nearly 15 years as dead. Their father, John Skelton, did not return them after Thanksgiving in 2010. This case has haunted the small town of Morenci, close to the Ohio border, and remains unsolved.

Authorities suspect John Skelton is responsible for their disappearance, although he hasn’t been charged with murder. He is due to finish a 15-year prison sentence for not returning the boys to their mother. The hearing to discuss declaring the boys dead will take place Monday, and several witnesses, including Zuvers and police investigators, will testify about the ongoing search for Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton.

Since the boys’ disappearance, which occurred while they were supposed to be with their mother during a divorce, Zuvers has been seeking answers. She hopes for closure and longs for the truth about what happened to her children. Her attorney, R. Burke Castleberry, noted that despite her prayers for news, none has come.

Nathan Piwowarski, a Michigan lawyer who handles probate and estate law, explained that declaring someone dead can provide emotional closure for families. He also mentioned that it can enable family members to pursue legal actions like wrongful death claims.

Before the hearing, Castleberry declined to comment, and Skelton, now 53, did not respond to inquiries about the petition. The boys were ages 9, 7, and 5 when they disappeared. They lived just a mile from the Ohio border and were last seen with their father on Thanksgiving. They were supposed to return to their mother the following day, but they vanished instead.

Police later tracked Skelton’s phone to Ohio before returning to Morenci, leading to further suspicions. Skelton has denied harming the boys, claiming they were in a safe location with a secretive group, but many view his explanations as dubious. Investigators have described the details he provided as wild and misleading, leading to pointless searches.

Though years have gone by, the memory of the Skelton brothers remains alive in Morenci. A plaque honoring their names and images stands in a local park, a symbol of the community’s hope and love for the missing boys. The town has shown unwavering support as they continue to seek answers.

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John Skelton, Michigan, Ohio, General news, OH State Wire, MI State Wire, U.S. news, Ed White, Courts, Nathan Piwowarski, Thanksgiving, Tanya Zuvers, Law enforcement, Homicide