Who Were James Schnick’s Victims? Where is James Schnick Now?

The authorities struggled to make sense of what took place until vital proof transformed up, leading them to James Schnick, who was connected to everybody eliminated. Investigation Discovery’s ‘The 1980s: The Deadliest Decade: The Heartland Massacre’ concentrates on the seven murders that occurred on two farms as well as exactly how the police detained James in the end.

Who Were James Schnick’s Victims?

Throughout the early morning hours on September 25, 1987, James Schnick called 911, saying he had been fired and was bleeding out. The authorities hurried to the Schnick farm outside Elkland and observed that James had actually been shot in the leg as well as abdomen. However, it was just the beginning of the terrible discovery that they would make. At the time, James dealt with his 30-year-old other half, Julie, as well as two little girls, Jamie and also Mindy.

Schnick household

Regarding seven miles from their ranch lived Julie’s bro, 35-year-old Steve Buckner, as well as his wife, 36-year-old Jeanette. They had four kids with each other: Kirk, 14; Dennis, 8; Timmy, seven; and Michael, 2. At James’ house, the cops discovered Kirk’s body not too far from him; it appeared that he had been stabbed. Julie was found in the bedroom and also was shot two times in the temple. Jamie and also Mindy were unscathed.

Inside, they located Timmy and Dennis in their beds, shot twice in the head. Jeanette was located on the home with a gunshot injury to the head, as well as lastly, Steve was located on the roadway connecting the 2 ranches.

Buckner family

James, who was treated for his surface injuries, told the cops that he returned after assembling the cattle and also was fired by a person at night. James after that declared to have taken a knife and stabbed his attacker. It later turned out to be Kirk, and also the gun was discovered in his right-hand man. The authorities believed that Kirk was accountable for the murders. They felt that he eliminated his bros, complied with by his mommy, as well as finally, his papa.

Nevertheless, added proof appeared to suggest Kirk was the target, not the killer. While the weapon was found in his right-hand man, everyone claimed he was a lefthander. It showed up unlikely that the teen can have dragged his daddy, who evaluated over 200 pounds. Kirk’s postmortem examination report showed that he had actually also been shot three times with the very same weapon in his hand. Suspicion shifted toward James.

According to the show, the authorities discovered that James had been having an extramarital affair with a lady called Nancy Bruner. She later on told the cops that James talked of divorcing Julie which he wanted to wed her. But that never ever taken place, and also Nancy had actually told Julie of the event. James, who offered differing tales concerning what occurred that early morning, eventually admitted to eliminating all 7 of his family members.

Where is James Schnick Today?

According to the show, James Schnick specified that Julie was distressed concerning the affair in the hours before the capturing as well as called Steve for assistance. He declared to have shot Steve during a struggle on the road, but the evidence recommended otherwise. James confessed to head to the Buckner ranch to shoot Jeanette and Kirk prior to killing the various other 3 children. Upon discovering Kirk was still to life, James carried him back to the Schnick house as well as presented the scene after eliminating Julie.

The authorities located gunshot deposit on the within James’ trousers, recommending that he could have fired himself. Furthermore, the murder tool’s maintaining pin was discovered in his trousers pocket. Originally, James was founded guilty of 3 matters of first-degree murder and obtained a death sentence. The Missouri Supreme Court rescinded the convictions later. In May 1992, James, after that 40, pleaded guilty to killing Julie, Kirk, and also Michael, receiving three life sentences without the opportunity of parole. Since then, it seems that he has actually been serving his sentence at a reformatory in Missouri.