For Immediate Release: Nodaway County Missouri Sheriff’s Office

“April 11, 2019 will be the 18th year since Branson Perry was last seen alive. I appeal to those who have direct knowledge of his disappearance, and ask that you find the humanity to come forward and provide us with information. You can call our office at 660-582-7451 or email me at rstrong@nodawaycounty mo.us.” – Sheriff Randy Strong

Perry was last seen in his home in the 300 block of west Oak Street in Skidmore, Missouri at 3:00 p.m. on April 11, 2001. He went outside to put some jumper cables in a shed. He was expected to be right back, but never returned and has never been heard from again. His family says it is extremely uncharacteristic of Perry to be out of touch with his family and friends for more than a few days. He was reported missing on April 17, six days after he disappeared. Perry left his van and all of his belongings behind when he disappeared. The jumper cables were not in the shed the first time police checked it, but two weeks later they were located in the shed just inside the door.

At the time of his disappearance, Perry lived with his father. His parents are divorced. His father was hospitalized on the day Perry disappeared, but due to come home shortly. Perry had wanted to make the sure the house was cleaned up before his father’s return, and had asked a friend to help him with that. Two men were also at the residence repairing Perry’s father’s car, which had a broken alternator.

Perry graduated Nodaway-Holt High School in 1999, and has been employed by a roofing company and a traveling petting zoo. He was unemployed at the time of his disappearance. Perry is a non-smoker and a weightlifter, and has a black belt in hopkido. No one has been charged in his disappearance, which remains unresolved. His father died in 2004, but his mother is still searching for him. Foul play is suspected in Perry’s case due to the circumstances involved.

According to Northwest Missouri Public Radio, Sheriff Randy Strong commented the following about this case:

“It appears to be drug related.  There are certain individuals whose names keep popping up in it.  I think it’s time that we put all this together and come up with what we can and present it to the prosecutor for them to look at and decide.  Can we go forward if we don’t find a body or do we continue to look?   And those are some tough decisions that we’re going to have to make.”

Strong says he feels there are people in the area that have direct knowledge of Perry’s disappearance.

“I think that we’re pretty familiar with who the individuals are that are responsible.  That there are some other individuals that probably have information that could come forward and help us bring this case back to life.”

Strong urges anyone with knowledge of Branson Perry’s disappearance on April 11th, 2001 to contact the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department.

More Information:

Missing Since: 04/11/01
Missing from:  Skidmore, Missouri
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: 02/24/81
Age at disappearance: 20
Height: 5’9″-5’10″
Weight: 140-155 lbs.
Hair Color: Blonde
Eye Color: Blue
Race: White
Gender: Male
Distinguishing Characteristics: Small faint scar on upper
right cheek. Small scar on left knee. Normal teeth; wisdom teeth
have been pulled. Right handed. Black belt in Hopkido, lifted weights.
Medical Conditions: Racing heart condition. Allergic to Penicillin.
Clothing: Shorts (size 32) and a T-shirt (size medium to large).
Jewelry: Possibly wearing necklaces and leather trinkets
or chains with arrowheads on them.
DNA: in CODIS

Investigative Agency


Missouri Highway Patrol (816) 387-2345

Nodaway County Sheriff  (660) 582-7451