Morenci, MI – A Michigan father convicted of wrongfully imprisoning his three young sons, who vanished without a trace in 2010, is set to walk free later this month. The case, which has haunted the small town of Morenci for over a decade, remains one of the state’s most chilling unsolved mysteries.
The Disappearance of Three Brothers
John Skelton, now 53 years old, was convicted in 2011 after refusing to return his sons — Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5 — to their mother following the Thanksgiving holiday in 2010. Despite years of investigation, the boys have never been found alive. Skelton’s release, scheduled for November 29, comes after serving nearly 14 years of a 10–15-year prison sentence for wrongful imprisonment.
During a 2018 interview with NBC affiliate WDIV, Skelton reiterated his bizarre claim that he had handed the boys over to an “underground sanctuary” in Ohio, insisting that he did it to protect them from their mother, Tanya Zuvers, whom he accused of being a “danger” to their safety. Authorities, however, have never found evidence supporting this claim.
A Web of Changing Stories
Skelton’s explanations about what happened to his sons have shifted multiple times over the years. After initially telling investigators that he left them with a “friend,” he later claimed to have had “a vision” that the boys had been “put in a dumpster” in Ohio. He also sent police on a wild chase into local Amish communities, at one point pointing fingers at a former reality TV personality and author who had been excommunicated — a claim he later admitted was fabricated.
Investigators determined that Skelton’s cellphone was tracked 30 miles into Ohio the day after Thanksgiving before returning to his home in Morenci, Michigan. Shortly afterward, he was hospitalized following a suicide attempt, prompting Zuvers to contact authorities when he failed to return the boys as promised.
A Mother’s Endless Grief
Over the years, Tanya Zuvers has fought tirelessly for justice and closure. In March 2024, she had her sons legally declared dead, marking a heartbreaking acknowledgment of what investigators long feared. Although Zuvers sought a ruling declaring Skelton responsible for their deaths, a judge denied the motion. Skelton has never been charged with murder due to the absence of physical evidence.
Zuvers has continued to voice frustration over the justice system’s inability to hold Skelton accountable for the disappearance of her sons. “The system is letting a man walk free when my boys are still gone,” she said in a previous interview.
Ongoing Mystery and Community Pain
Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and local police, have continued to receive sporadic tips about the boys’ whereabouts, but none have led to any breakthroughs. Despite extensive searches across Michigan and Ohio, no remains have ever been found. Investigators maintain that all available evidence points to the grim conclusion that the children were likely killed around the time of their disappearance.
Skelton’s release has reignited public outrage and heartbreak in the Morenci community. Many residents and law enforcement officials believe he knows exactly what happened to the boys but has chosen to keep silent.
Awaiting Release and Questions Unanswered
After being denied parole in 2023, Skelton is now being freed under state supervision after serving his full term. The news has stirred renewed attention and anger, as many question how a father convicted in such a devastating case could soon walk free while the fate of his sons remains unknown.
As the release date approaches, the disappearance of Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton remains an open wound for their family and community — a haunting reminder of justice still out of reach.
What are your thoughts on John Skelton’s release and the unsolved disappearance of his three sons? Share your opinions in the comments below.
