The preliminary hearing for John Skelton, the Michigan father accused of murdering his three sons after they disappeared in 2010, entered its fifth day on Monday, August 31, in Lenawee County.
Prosecutors are presenting evidence to determine whether the case should proceed to trial. Skelton faces three counts of open murder and three counts of tampering with evidence over the deaths of Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton.
The brothers were aged nine, seven and five when they vanished from Morenci, near Michigan’s border with Ohio, over Thanksgiving in 2010. Their bodies have never been found, although a judge declared them legally dead in March 2025. ([wilx.com](https://www.wilx.com/2026/08/27/testimony-continues-skelton-murder-case/?utm_source=openai))
Evidence heard in the John Skelton murder hearing
The hearing has included testimony from the boys’ mother, Tanya Zuver, the family’s former pastor and several members of Skelton’s family.
Zuver told the court that she had been due to collect the children from Skelton on the Friday after Thanksgiving, but found the house empty. She later learned that Skelton had claimed to be in hospital after injuring his ankle.
Pastor Donna Galloway described conversations with Skelton while the boys were missing. She said he repeatedly told her they were “safe” and used the word “home”, leading her to believe he was referring to their deaths.
On the fourth day of proceedings, Skelton’s first ex-wife, Michelle Lamphere, gave evidence about his drinking and episodes of threatening behaviour, including an incident in which she said he produced a loaded shotgun.
Former FBI agent Christopher Hess also testified about his analysis of Skelton’s mobile phone. He identified movements including a journey to a campground in Morenci and travel into Ohio.
An investigating officer separately told the court about a prison interview conducted with Skelton in November 2025. Skelton allegedly claimed he had handed the boys to members of an “Underground Sanctuary” group, but said he later regretted leaving them and drove to Ohio in an attempt to find them.
The officer also said Skelton told investigators he had burnt items at his home after the boys were taken because he intended to kill himself and did not want their mother to find them.
Skelton has previously maintained that the children were alive and had been taken to safety by an underground organisation. Investigators have said they found no evidence that such a group existed. ([13abc.com](https://www.13abc.com/2025/11/17/father-accused-killing-3-missing-sons-faces-murder-charges/?utm_source=openai))
Charges brought after 15 years
Skelton was previously sentenced to between 10 and 15 years in prison after pleading no contest to unlawful imprisonment for failing to return the boys to their mother. The murder charges were filed in November 2025, shortly before he was due to complete that sentence. ([wilx.com](https://www.wilx.com/2026/08/27/testimony-continues-skelton-murder-case/?utm_source=openai))
He remains in custody on a 60 million dollar bond. The preliminary examination is not a trial; the judge must decide whether prosecutors have shown sufficient evidence for the case to move forward.
Proceedings are expected to continue for several days in Lenawee County’s 2A District Court.
