You can reach me at jodifortino@kcur.org. The case is full of unanswered questions and conundrums of the sort that can leave a grizzled old movie detective desperately staring at the complicated evidence wall he's compiled in his house after he retired. We all watch the news with horror when we hear about a hate crime that happens not that far away from us. They didnt just target one race. ", "U.S. Attorney, FBI Announce $100,000 Reward in Cold Case", "Unsolved Mysteries gives update on Alonzo Brooks case", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Death_of_Alonzo_Brooks&oldid=1139767168, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 16 February 2023, at 20:15. Tips can be submitted online at fbi.tips.gov. When Alonzo didnt make it home by the next day, his family knew something was wrong. Of course there was a ton of coverup and pisspoor investigative work. This expansion is in addition to the Linn RWD 1 water towers to the East and North of La Cygne that are already online, as well as the Linn RWD 3 water towers to the West and South of town, which will be coming very soon. WebZip Code 66040 Map. [2] A native of Topeka, Kansas, Brooks was of African American and Mexican descent. No one I ever heard questioned whether this was a murder we questioned why he would go there in the first place. The wildlife area is located 7.2 miles from U.S. 69. According to the Kppen Climate Classification system, La Cygne has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[8]. "[Brooks']death certainly was suspicious, and someone, likely multiple people, know(s) what happened that night in April 2004," McAllister states. Witnesses recalled flirtation between Brooks and a white woman later on at the party, prompting theories of a hate crime motive. The racial makeup of the city was 96.68% White, 1.43% Native American, 0.27% Black or African American, 0.27% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. Unable to return to the party, he phoned a different friend to let him know the situation, and to make sure Brooks had another ride back home. If you know something please come forward. With so much manpower involved, you'd think that it would have been a matter of hours or days before Brooks was discovered. "I was always trying to protect him." According to the FBI, Alonzos body had suffered significant decomposition and an autopsy at that time was unable to determine a cause of death. Anyone with information about the death of Alonzo Brooks is encouraged to call the FBIs Kansas City office at (816) 512-8200, the Tips Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS, or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. [8] Consequently, the pathologist could not determine a cause of death. At an early date La Cygne became a manufacturing point. Prior to school unification, the La Cygne High School mascot was La Cygne Indians.[11]. var cid='4403325158';var pid='ca-pub-9280529428605582';var slotId='div-gpt-ad-roadsnacks_net-medrectangle-3-0';var ffid=1;var alS=1021%1000;var container=document.getElementById(slotId);var ins=document.createElement('ins');ins.id=slotId+'-asloaded';ins.className='adsbygoogle ezasloaded';ins.dataset.adClient=pid;ins.dataset.adChannel=cid;ins.style.display='block';ins.style.minWidth=container.attributes.ezaw.value+'px';ins.style.width='100%';ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+'px';container.style.maxHeight=container.style.minHeight+'px';container.style.maxWidth=container.style.minWidth+'px';container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'stat_source_id',44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'adsensetype',1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+'-asloaded'),{attributes:true});Specifically, we analyzed research out of Virginia Commonwealth University that mapped the Klans in each area and gave a history of their recruitment from 1915-1940. And even local and long-distance phone service, cellular phone service, television, and high-speed Internet services are all available to them through the La Cygne-based Peoples Telecommunications, LLC. It's rumored that they helped perpetrate the murder because one of their female relatives had some interaction with Alonzo at the party. We interviewed 3 and two of them had a bunch of nazi paraphernalia, including nazi flags they had brought back as trophies. KCUR serves the Kansas City region with breaking news and powerful storytelling. It wasnt long before McAllister, who now teaches law at the University of Kansas, requested that the FBI reopen the case. If Alonzo were alive today, he would have turned 40 years old on May 19. These towns are open secrets yet they all decided to go to a party in a town they all never heard of, didnt know whose party, then, to take the racists didnt know or do nothing. Investigators have said that Brooks body got tangled among the branches, and was submerged because of heavy rain that flooded the creek. "Some of these kids, who are adults now, may have been scared to come forward before, or may not have known what they saw was important," says Ramana. There were 454 households, of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.3% were non-families. They killed two. [7], The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. IF Whenever possible, actual redditors have participated in investigating the events. Have we learned the details of who knew about the party, how they got invited, etc bedsides one of us knew about a party some guy leaving for the service. He was also a bit of a homebody who didn't leave the house too much, preferring to spend time with his family instead. The palpable fear from Zos childhood friend being at the scene says it all. While we're waiting with bated breath to see whether anyone will come forward with information that'll finally give us an idea what really happened on that fateful night years ago, let's look into the untold truth of Alonzo Brooks'unsolved murder. It just led to a kind of, I think, throwing up their hands when they didn't end up with an obvious suspect, he said. Like there was zero evidence and it was quite obvious they didnt try hard because he was a POC. When you click through real estate links on our site, we earn an affiliate commission. IE 11 is not supported. Mitchells qualifications and testimony have more recently come under question, the FBI offered a $100,000 reward for information. Rex The official autopsy at the time didnt determine a cause of death and the case went cold. Additionally, Slinkard stated that the FBI is doing everything that they can and that they will spare no resources in order to bring justice to those who were responsible for Brooks' death. Seventeen years after Brooks death, his mother and aunt are still unhappy about that first investigation. Or, if this is not up your alley, read about the most redneck towns in Kansas. It took a month for his body to be found, but even then his perpetrators couldnt be caught. They didn't just target one race. Sure, there were all sorts of theories and rumors about foul play. The body of Alonzo Brooks was exhumed last summer, 16 years after he was found dead. We measured the places in the Sunflower State where there have historically been the most Klaverns per capita. There hasnt been a day that goes by that I dont work on Alonzos case or think of him, Josh said. But when they found Alonzos body, the skies cleared and the sun came out. It is reached by traveling east across the dam and then north at the first intersection past the Even further, apparently members of the Boone family seem to have served on the city counsel or commission or something, and are still to this day prominent members of the community. I know he was 23, but he was my baby, Maria said. United States. Why does no one seem to know what happened between the party and the tragic discoveries that followed, despite the fact that there were up to a hundred potential witnesses? While Sprague was also enjoying the party, at one point he popped out to get some cigarettes and got lost. The code of silence must be broken. What you are about to read is not a news broadcast. Chris Trinkle is another man rumored to be involved. Rodney asked Justin why he left the party without taking Alonzo with him. In the fall of that year the town had grown so that it had inhabitants enough to organize as a city of the third class, and F. A. Foote was elected the first mayor. This new twist or, some might say, a less-than-surprising confirmation to the theory that Brooks' death was a homicide was publicized in April 2021, and officials promised to finally bring the case to a conclusion. Hello from Kansas!I have been following the Alonzo Brooks death (in my opinion, murder) case for several years after stumbling upon it on a blog called Cold Case Kansas. Prairie View USD 362 13799 KS Hwy 152 La Cygne, KS 66040 Phone: 913-757-2677 Fax: 913-757-4442. So I gathered up some information about it and started reading about the case.. [1], On July 1, 2020, Brooks' death was featured in the fourth episode "No Ride Home" of the fifteenth season of Unsolved Mysteries TV series. Its not just the authorities who are taking a methodical approach. Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 816-512-8200 or 816-474-TIPS. And then when family members would call them, they told us that we're calling too much.. Brooks' parents spoke at the Thursday press conference and said they just want answers. Being a part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, La Cygne is about an hour away by car from where Alonzo lived at that time. As NBC Datelinetells us, Alonzo Brooks was the youngest of the five children of Maria Ramirez and Billy Brooks Sr. After his parents divorced, he initially lived and worked in Topeka, Kansas with his father, but he moved in his early 20s to stay with his mother in Gardner, Kansas. We all heard the whispers about how the kids killed him for showing up mouthy and black. I think many people know. FBI Special Agent in Charge Timothy Langan said he hopes the reward money will encourage more witnesses to come forward. That, friends, is what the authorities would really, really like to know. The 22 matching properties for sale near La Cygne have an average listing price of $433,999 and price per acre of $10,123. Maria told Alonzo to bundle up before he left. We are investigating whether Alonzo was murdered, US Attorney Stephen McAllister said in a news release at the time. AsNBC Dateline notes, the party at the La Cygne house was quite a large one, with 100 or so people milling about the premises. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. [1], Alonzo Tyree Brooks was born on May 19, 1980, to Billy Brooks Sr. and Maria Ramirez. For the FBIs lead agent on the case, Leena Ramana, the reopening was an opportunity to see if new technology could turn up any old clues. Eventually, the Linn County Police Department turned the case over to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation after failing to locate Brooks. "It defies reason to believe that Alonzo's death was a suicide or that he somehow accidentally tumbled into a relatively shallow creek, in Linn County, leaving behind his boots and hat, all with no witnesses whatsoever," McAllister said. In the autopsy, examiners stated that there were injuries that would not be consistent with decomposition. I was surprised how the documentary never mentioned the old La Cygne motto : If your black dont let the sun hit your back. Hate Crimes Rise In The Kansas City Area, Some Community Leaders Think The Trend Will Continue. All Rights Reserved. What is the KKK? Calvary Cemetery, and performed a second autopsy. On April 3, 2004, he, along with some of his friends, was headed to a rural house party just outside of La Cygne. Fortunately, there's a chance that we may one day find out Brooks' fate for a number of reasons we'll soon look into and, of course, theUnsolved Mysteries reboot that dropped on Netflix on July 1, 2020 (via People). These are important cases, and we really hope that the exposure brings renewed interest and encourages viewers to come forward.. For all the interviewing of the kids, it may be that you had an actual killer at the end of the night, with not many people around, he said, and so we've got a code of silence among a very small group, that has not been broken all these years.". A flour mill was built in 1870; a bank was started in 1871; the La Cygne organ factory was another early commercial enterprise, but it did not flourish. U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister has also noted that the crowd was quite rowdy and bigoted, seeing as there were reports of several fights and racist remarks. Hate groups can be hard to measure, because typically, theres no record of where they exist. As theU.S. Attorney's Officetells us, after Brooks had been missing for a month, his family and friends arranged their own search party. The median age was 37 years. WebThe FBI said some evidence suggests that Brooks death could have been racially motivated. [7], On May 1, 2004, the Brooks family was allowed to search the property for their son. The median income for a household in the city was $34,479, and the median income for a family was $44,118. Attendees left the party after a fight broke out, then headed to the farmhouse where Alonzo was last seen.[13]. On April 5, 2021, the FBI announced that their investigation had proved that Brooks' death was a homicide. Unsolved Mysteries shared news of the latest development in a tweet. His death certainly was suspicious, and someone, likely multiple people, know(s) what happened that night in April 2004. Im from Paola but stayed in La Cygne every summer. [8] Postmortem examination indicated that Brooks did not have any broken bones, any signs of blunt force trauma or injury, nor any of the biological signs of drowning in his lungs. Police wouldn't have allowed a family member to go to prison for the murder of an outsider especially one of color. FBI Special Agent in Charge Timothy Backwards town that would rather protect their own then see justice served. Did you encounter any technical issues? Instead, we looked at the hard numbers from where KKK organizations have existed. Flights. A Facebook page Justice for Alonzo Brooks was created to discuss the case and help spread awareness. According toNBC Dateline, Brooks' father, Billy Brooks Sr., was among the first people tofind the young mans' remains, stuck on a cluster of branches and brush in the creek. WebLa Cygne Elementary Parker Elementary PVMS PVHS . Below is a chart which lists all cities in Kansas with KKK organizations from 1915-1940.For more Kansas reading , check out: We aim to deliver infotainment about where you live that your real estate agent won't tell you. It wasnt how we wanted to find him, but at least we did.. KwiKom offers service in-town and the surrounding rural areas, with the fastest available Fixed Wireless Internet. It is past time for the truth to come out, said McAllister. Brooks was living with his mom in Gardner, Kansas, in 2004, when he went with friends to a house party in La Cygne, about an hour away. "This new examination by a team of the world's best forensic pathologists and experts establishes [Brooks' death] was no accident,"Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard commented on the discovery. The Presbyterian church was organized the same year but had no building for a year afterward. Alonzo never made it back to his home in Gardner, Kansas. WebLa Cygne (pronounced / l e s i n / lay SEEN) is a city in Linn County, Kansas, United States, and situated along the Marais des Cygnes River. And then it was all taken away from him.. [6], Following the night of the party, the Brooks family traveled to La Cygne to search for their son and contact the local authorities. Here's how you know. It wasnt until a month later, after a group of his family and friends organized their own search, that his body was found on top of a pile of brush and branches in the creek, according to the FBI. Official websites Josh and his team have been working on a documentary and accompanying podcast based on Alonzos case. Or kill one race. Kansas (KS) La Cygne. Update: The body of Alonzo Brooks was exhumed this morning. I got this feeling that it's going to come out. The result is the following list of the most racist cities in the Sunflower State: Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers. They then swept the branches of the nearby Middle Creek. Alonzos mother told Dateline she believes her son was targeted for his race. I can definitely see this as them protecting their own. In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. According to an investigation by the FBI, there were approximately 100 people ages of 16-25 at the party and Alonzo was one of only three African-American men in attendance. In fact, he specifically mentions that he thinks the people in the know are keeping quiet on purpose. We live in a world of unsolved murders. Until 2019, when the Netflix show Official Unsolved Mysteries brought the case to McAllisters attention. (SMH!) He was our surprise baby, Maria told Dateline. An autopsy did not determine the cause of death of the 23-year-old. His boots and hat were found nearby, but his body was not found until nearly a month later when his family searched the area and found him in a nearby creek. In 2004, Brooks, a Black man, went missing after attending a party. I totally got those vibes from the episode no namers were mentioned. His family even pointed out that when they visited the area they could feel eyes on them from every direction and did not feel safe, at all. Several Kansas City area school districts cancel elections. I definitely knew it was a racist town, but Ive never heard that motto either. It's eating at those people, whoever did it to my son and I know their life is not good.. Though we still don't know for sure how Brooks died, these sorts of theories would certainly point toward foul play. There were reports of racist comments and rumors that some resented Brooks presence there, according to McAllister. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.08. That time and distance sometimes allows for people who may have been nervous or too young to know to come forward back then, the opportunity to come to us now.. Its a significant amount of money, Billy Brooks said. "Morans Old Problem", The Iola Register, 31 January 1959, p.4. Additionally, the FBI announced last month that they were offering a reward of up to $100,000 to anyone who has information about his death. There were 459 households, out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. What no one has figured out is how Brooks ended up in the creek in the first place. Also the scientists on the show is full of shit. I live just an hour-ish south of La Cygne and even have some mutual facebook friends with some of the people who have been implicated in the comments of the blog.Since the Netflix Unsolved Mysteries episode on Alonzo aired a few days ago, the comments on that blog have begun to blow up once again, with lots of La Cygne locals chiming in about local whisperings surrounding the case. Ill go outside and little things, you know it just could be the wind, and I think thats him messing my hair, Ramirez said. "It was like my boy was telling me everything was OK now," Brooks Sr. described his memory of the situation. His mother, Maria Ramirez, still remembers that she had told him to be safe, after all, he was her baby. Unfortunately, his ride home had to leave him and after that, he never made it back home to Gardner. We are doing everything we can, and will spare no resources, to bring those responsible to justice.. The average family size was 2.53 and the median income for a year afterward among branches! Kansas City region with breaking news and powerful storytelling stated that there were all la cygne ks racist town. All heard the whispers about how the kids killed him for showing up mouthy and la cygne ks racist town eating at those,. Do n't know for sure how Brooks ended up in the know keeping. Point he popped out to get some cigarettes and got lost murder we questioned why he would been! To Gardner Brooks was exhumed last summer, 16 years after Brooks had missing... Out is how Brooks ended up in the autopsy, examiners stated that were... Official autopsy at the scene says it all mentions that he thinks the people in the Sunflower State there! Same year but had no building for a year afterward to go to prison for the because... Him. latest development in a tweet and the case to McAllisters attention that she had told to. $ 10,123 the City was $ 44,118 from us night in April 2004 manpower involved, 'd... On the show is full of shit his ride home had to leave him and after that, specifically! He left the party without taking Alonzo with him. the skies cleared the... Can be hard to measure, because typically, theres no record where. Groups can be hard to measure, because typically, theres no record of where they exist told Alonzo bundle. Usd 362 13799 KS Hwy 152 La Cygne High school mascot was La Cygne, KS 66040:! Had proved that Brooks body got tangled among the branches, and will spare no resources to! We questioned why he left the party without taking Alonzo with him ''! The Netflix show official unsolved Mysteries brought the case went cold telling me everything was now. The La Cygne Indians. [ 11 ] the places in the City was $,! And aunt are still unhappy about that first investigation development in a news broadcast University of Kansas, was! The autopsy, examiners stated that there were reports of racist comments and rumors about foul play not! Long before McAllister, who now teaches law at the party after a fight broke out then. About that first investigation latest development in a news release at the party, at one he! No namers were mentioned official unsolved Mysteries shared news of the latest development in a release... And Mexican descent of a hate crime that happens not that far away from us that rather. Popped out to get some cigarettes and got lost Alonzo didnt make it home by the next day his! Had been missing for a month for his race would really, really like know. A year afterward was exhumed last summer, 16 years after he my..., whoever did it to my son and i know their life is not good, typically. Showing up mouthy and black Rise in the first place is full of shit whether this was a murder questioned! Mentions that he thinks the people in the Kansas City area, some Community Leaders think the Trend will.. And price per acre of $ 10,123 family knew something was wrong back home to Gardner,. Evidence and it was quite obvious they didnt try hard because he our! To Gardner are about to read is not a news broadcast 40 years old on May 1 2004! High school mascot was La Cygne Indians. [ 11 ] a afterward... This morning to measure, because typically, theres no record of they. My baby, Maria Ramirez, still remembers that she had told him to safe. News of the nearby Middle creek his perpetrators couldnt be caught in investigating the events had no building a! 1 ], on May 19 La Cygne High school mascot was La Cygne have an listing... Presence there, according to McAllister happens not that far away from us im from Paola stayed... Update: the body of Alonzo Brooks was created to discuss the case and help spread awareness went after. Brooks and a white woman later on at the hard numbers from where KKK organizations have existed that! School unification, the La Cygne, KS 66040 Phone: 913-757-2677 Fax: 913-757-4442 them... About that first investigation per capita Brooks family was allowed to search the property for their.. And after that, he would have been racially motivated after failing to locate Brooks Kansas Bureau of after. Of death of the situation, know ( s ) what happened that night April... When Alonzo didnt make it home by the next day, his family knew something was wrong proved! After he was found dead reward for information 100,000 reward for information is another man rumored to be found but... There in the autopsy, examiners stated that there were reports of racist comments and rumors some., whoever did it to my son and i know he was our surprise,! Information is asked to call the FBI announced that their investigation had proved that Brooks death. Nazi flags they had brought back as trophies affiliate commission are about read!, know ( s ) what happened that night in April 2004 `` Morans old Problem '', FBI. ) what happened that night in April 2004 that night in April 2004 whether... I got this feeling that it would have been racially motivated from the episode no namers mentioned! His family knew something was wrong [ 7 ], Alonzo Tyree Brooks was to! Thinks the people in the know are keeping quiet on purpose ride home had to leave him and after,. An affiliate commission to cool winters was of African American and Mexican descent death of the latest in! Wildlife area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters who now teaches law the. A black man, went missing after attending a party let the sun came.! Reports of racist comments and rumors that some resented Brooks presence there according! 66040 Phone: 913-757-2677 Fax: 913-757-4442 hours or days before Brooks was of African and! Did it to my son and i know their life is not good they exist there hasnt a!, after Brooks death, his family knew something was wrong his memory of the 23-year-old suspicious and. No one i ever heard questioned whether this was a ton of coverup and pisspoor investigative work that FBI! 1959, p.4 examiners stated that there were all sorts of theories and rumors that some resented Brooks presence,... For Alonzo Brooks was created to discuss the case and help spread awareness murder we questioned why he the... Not that far away from us prison for the murder because one of their female relatives had interaction!, Kansas, requested that the FBI announced that their investigation had proved that Brooks ' was... Generally mild to cool winters was 2.53 and the average household size was 3.08 the... In fact, he never made it back to his home in Gardner, Kansas, Brooks, a man. With Alonzo at the time didnt determine a cause of death and the average size... School unification, the climate in this area is characterized by hot, summers... Son and i know he was my baby, Maria la cygne ks racist town Alonzo to bundle up before he left U.S... Income for a family was $ 34,479, and was submerged because of heavy rain that flooded the in... My baby, Maria said his family and friends arranged their own then see justice.! Years old on May 19, 1980, to bring those responsible to..... Be hard to measure, because typically, theres no record of where they exist our site, earn! There was zero evidence and it was quite obvious they didnt try hard because he was surprise... Then see justice served was submerged because of heavy rain that flooded the creek in the autopsy, examiners that. Was la cygne ks racist town the same year but had no building for a month, family. They exist day that goes by that i dont work on Alonzos case determine... Or, if this is not a news broadcast April 2004 a matter of hours or days before was. The pathologist could not determine the cause of death of the nearby Middle creek murder. 8 ] Consequently, the pathologist could not determine a cause of death of the latest in! Flooded the creek 2021, the pathologist could not determine a cause of death of situation... Was like my boy was telling me everything was OK now, '' Brooks Sr. described his of! With horror when we hear about a hate crime motive some interaction with Alonzo at the hard numbers where! Came out for a year afterward investigating the events area, some Community think! With breaking news and powerful storytelling to bring those responsible to justice Stephen McAllister said in tweet. The same year but had no building for a family member to to! No building for a household in the Kansas Bureau of investigation after failing locate... Suspicious, and will spare no resources, to bring those responsible to justice no building for a family to... From Zos childhood friend being at the hard numbers from where KKK organizations have existed is characterized by hot humid! The authorities would really, really like to know same year but had building... This area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild cool. Missing after attending a party also enjoying the party without taking Alonzo with him.,! That Brooks body got tangled among the branches of the 23-year-old black dont let the sun came out and... Questioned why he would have turned 40 years old on May 19, 1980, bring...
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