But in 2019, the Department of Justice and FBI reopened the investigation into his death. I can definitely see this as them protecting their own. Up to 90 days of daily highs, lows, and precipitation chances. I went to grade school in a small Midwestern town and for our 7th grade history project we had to interview local veterans about their experience in the war. WebKnow what's coming with AccuWeather's extended daily forecasts for La Cygne, KS. It's also stated in the comments that these brothers were heard bragging that they used a hunting dog shock collar to torture a person of color at some point (unclear if this was Alonzo). Brooks case got a second chance in 2019, though, when Stephen McAllister, then the U.S. District Attorney for the state of Kansas, decided to take another look. If you know something please come forward. When I think real hard about, you know, what happened, and then I think of what they did to my son it really gets to me.. single family home located at 413 Locust St, La Cygne, KS 66040 on sale now for $147000. Email me at [email protected]. "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. At least we had found him. Maria said she hopes a renewed investigation by the FBI and a recent reward offer of $100,000 will help bring their family closer to the truth. Deaths of Arnold Archambeau and Ruby Bruguier, "Kansas man Alonzo Brooks' death from 2004 ruled as homicide by FBI", "Alonzo Brooks - View Obituary & Service Information", "FBI, US Attorney announce $100,000 reward in 2004 murder of Alonzo Brooks", "FBI Reopens Investigation Into Death Of Alonzo Brooks, Examined In 'Unsolved Mysteries' Revival", "FBI exhumes body of Alonzo Brooks, whose case was featured in Netflix's 'Unsolved Mysteries', "After 15 years, the Alonzo Brooks case has been reopened by the FBIcan it finally be solved? Alonzos family deserves to know the truth, and it is time for justice to be served.. The first school was taught in 1869 in Cady's hall. They have been filtering in from people who claim to have information for years. At an early date La Cygne became a manufacturing point. WebThe town of La Cygne knows WHO killed Alonzo. 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. He said there were reports that Alonzo had been targeted for violence because of his race, had flirted with the wrong girl and been challenged to fight. WebLa Cygne-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Kansas state average. As of the 2000 census, there were 1,115 people, 459 households, and 294 families residing in the city. Menu . The body of Alonzo Brooks, the Black man whose death was featured by Unsolved Mysteries on Netflix, has been exhumed in Kansas, media outlets report. Tips can be submitted online at fbi.tips.gov. The Methodist church organized in 1870 and soon after built a house of worship. WebLa Cygne, Kansas City of Swans La Cygne Kansas Situated along the Marais des Cygnes River in the northeast part of Linn County , La Cygne (pronounced luh SEEN) 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. Dont freak out. While the details of the examination are being withheld for investigative purposes, the new autopsy focuses on injuries to Brooks body that the examiner concluded are inconsistent with normal patterns of decomposition, according to the release. There are still a great many questions about Alonzo Brooks' ultimate fate, but at the moment, we have precious few answers. For one, the coroner who performed Brooks autopsy, Dr. Erik Mitchell, said he couldnt determine the cause of death. We use data, analytics, and a sense of humor to determine the dirt on places across the country. Billy said during their search that day, the skies had been overcast and threatened rain. All rights reserved. FBI Special Agent in Charge Timothy Langan said he hopes the reward money will encourage more witnesses to come forward. The official autopsy at the time didnt determine a cause of death and the case went cold. (Featured Image Credit: FBI). 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.". WebHome of the Buffalos. The median income for a household in the city was $34,479, and the median income for a family was $44,118. I ask the same question every day for 16 years, Maria told Dateline. We just want to know. [7], On May 1, 2004, the Brooks family was allowed to search the property for their son. "Someone knows something, and we are hopeful that with the passage of time and this significant reward this renewed effort will produce results, and provide closure for the Brooks family," Langan states. There were a total of 55 cities with at least 1 Klavern in Kansas during the time period of reference. 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. The population density was 760.9 inhabitants per square mile (293.8/km2). The other racial makeups of it are 0.6% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. WebBuying land in La Cygne. Brooks was one of only three black people at the party in La Cygne. [10] The four schools located in the school district are: The Prairie View High School mascot is Prairie View Buffalos. The racial makeup of the city was 97.3% White, 0.6% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. The spring of 2021 brought a big change to the status of the Alonzo Brooks case. Alonzos family deserves to know the truth, and it is time for justice to be served.. [4], On April 3, 2004, Brooks traveled with three friends to a party in La Cygne, approximately 50 miles (80km) south of Gardner. They didnt just target one race. I've been reading the comments on this blog for years, and there are tons and tons of accusations, including accusations of police misconduct and community cover up, and of course about the town's reputation for racism. One of the poor victims of such a strange incident was Alonzo Brooks, who disappeared in Kansas on the night of April 3, 2004. 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. In 1881 a coal mine was opened, after which it became an important point for the industry. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office's District of Kansas are on the case, investigating the death as a possibly racially-motivated crime. If Alonzo were alive today, he would have turned 40 years old on May 19. Official websites The suspicious death of Alonzo Brooks in 2004 was featured in the fourth episode "No Ride Home" of the fifteenth season of Unsolved Mysteries TV series in 2020. According to him, the dramatic moment of discovery was further enhanced by the way the overcast, heavy skies cleared, and the day became sunny just as they found the body. He was one of only three Black men at a party in La Cygne, Kansas, that had about 100 guests, according to the FBI. Still, according to his friends, the usually reserved Brooks was having a time of his life, playing games and happily talking with people. Attendees left the party after a fight broke out, then headed to the farmhouse where Alonzo was last seen.[13]. 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. I work with reporters to make sure our stories reflect the fullest view of the place we call home, so listeners and readers feel primed to explore the places, projects and people who make up a vibrant Kansas City. It is past time for the truth to come out, said McAllister. It is unfortunate that Alonzo's family (his mom) tossed "under the bus" by law enforcement because they are of color and poor. Published Having said all that, I am not defending the girl who posted the photo and I have no doubt that shit town in Kansas is racist as fuck and that they all know who killed Alonso Brooks. It's eating at those people, whoever did it to my son and I know their life is not good.. La Cygne is located at 382049N 944544W / 38.34694N 94.76222W / 38.34694; -94.76222 (38.346841, -94.762171). 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). Can this mystery ever be solved? Of course there was a ton of coverup and pisspoor investigative work. So if the people involved had important family to the town and the town was known for racism. I dont get why. The median age in the city was 37 years. We could tell.. Rental Cars. His body was found in a creek a month after. On May 1, 2004, the body of Alonzo Brooks was found in La Cygne, Kansas, about a month after he was reported missing after April 3, 2004. It's got twists and turns, it's got possible race relations, it's got young drunkenness, bravado. On June 11, 2020, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister and FBI Special Agent in Charge Timothy Langan announced that the FBI is investigating whether Alonzo was the victim of a racially motivated murder and have offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest, prosecution and conviction of the individual or individuals that may be responsible for his death. 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. An episode titled No Ride Home on the Netflix reboot of Unsolved Mysteries gave us the mind-boggling story of the disappearance and death of 23-year-old, Alonzo Brooks. 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. And someone -- or several people -- know what happened to him. The Linn County Journal is an online news service covering Linn County, Kansas In a nutshell, the KKK was formed back in 1865, and there have been three separate movements, all three of which were supposedly purification movements in America. What's more, even during the original investigation, there were several reports that Brooks might have been a victim of a racially motivated attack, either because he had drawn someone's ire by flirting with a girl at the party, or simply because of his race. Things snowballed from there, and before you knew, the Department of Justice decided to team up with the FBI to reopen the case. Brooks was 23 years old at the time of his death. In fact, he specifically mentions that he thinks the people in the know are keeping quiet on purpose. So hes mixed. Wind farms are transforming the Kansas landscape. Located at 382049N 944544W (38.346841, -94.762171), La Cygne (pronounced luh seen) is a small town that is situated on the east bank of the Marais des Cygnes River, a few miles southwest of the city of Linn Valley, in East Central Kansas. It's time for some answers.". Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population. "To find my boy like that. [5] While at the party, racial slurs were allegedly uttered toward Brooks, possibly igniting tension between Brooks and the other individuals. Josh and his team have been working on a documentary and accompanying podcast based on Alonzos case. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population. When the water receded, his body was revealed. One of the screenshots a woman is talking about how its not right to drag the Boones name through the ground and then goes on to say they arent racists in that town. Rex I can get justice for him.. But Mitchells qualifications and testimony have more recently come under question by local defense attorneys, mostly due to conduct from before he worked in Kansas. Here's how you know. What happened to my son? But I couldnt protect him from what happened to him.. They talk about the freezer and the sheriff and more. "He is my baby and I can't protect him anymore, but I can do this," she says. [2] A native of Topeka, Kansas, Brooks was of African American and Mexican descent. 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. And then it was all taken away from him.. He was one of only three Black men at a party in La Cygne, Kansas, that had about 100 guests, according to the FBI. Hate groups can be hard to measure, because typically, theres no record of where they exist. Alonzo never made it back to his home in Gardner, Kansas. As culture editor, I oversee KCURs coverage of race, culture, the arts, food and sports. After he failed to come home the next day, his family contacted the police who began searching for Brooks. Here's an effort to tone down their lights, A Kansas City group is paying off traffic fines to help drivers get their licenses back, Kansas City jazz and tap legend Ronald McFadden, half of the McFadden Brothers, dies at 66, Feds Offer $100,000 Reward In Kansas Cold Case That May Have Been Racially Motivated, Activists say Kansas City is in 'a moment of crisis' after racist incidents at local schools. Police wouldn't have allowed a family member to go to prison for the murder of an outsider especially one of color. Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard stated that while the FBI knew that Brooks died under very suspicious circumstances, the autopsy ultimately proved that his death was not an accident. Virginia Commonwealth University that mapped the Klans, These Are The 10 Most Stressed Out Places In Kansas, These Are The 10 Most Affordable Places In Kansas, These Are The 10 Best Places To Retire In Kansas, These Are The 10 Most Miserable Cities In Kansas. Unfortunately, this wasn't quite the case. I grew up in Overland Park, but my Grandma lived in La Cygne and I visited her every Sunday growing up. Alonzos mother told Dateline she believes her son was targeted for his race. Unfortunately, for one reason or another, Brooks never made it back to Gardner, and didn't call home to let his mother know what was keeping him something that was extremely unlike him. Both the KBI and FBI were unsuccessful in locating Brooks. The per capita income for the city was $15,880. In fact, the team was able to conclude that Brooks was very definitely killed. As KCURs education reporter, Ill break down the policies driving these issues in schools and report whats happening in our region's classrooms. 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. Prairie View USD 362 13799 KS Hwy 152 La Cygne, KS 66040 Phone: 913-757-2677 Fax: 913-757-4442. On April 5, 2021, the FBI announced that their investigation had proved that Brooks' death was a homicide. There are three boat ramps in the main lake and one boat ramp in the cooling pool on the east side Image 3. Fortunately, there's a decent chance that we might eventually find out who killed Brooks. [6], Following the night of the party, the Brooks family traveled to La Cygne to search for their son and contact the local authorities. While Pat and Jerry were much older than the majority of the party-goers, many commenters have stated that it would not be uncommon to find these men at a party at which high school and college aged people were present. The code of silence must be broken. The authorities have interviewed old and new witnesses, and collected every available scrap of evidence. , we have precious few answers course there was a ton of coverup and pisspoor investigative work billy said their... 293.8/Km2 ) is Prairie View Buffalos mother, Maria Ramirez, still that. When the water receded, his body was revealed began searching for Brooks 34,479, a! Murder of an outsider especially one of only three black people at the time didnt determine cause... And threatened rain town and the case went cold freezer and the case went cold truth to come,! Spring of 2021 brought a big change to the farmhouse where Alonzo was last seen. [ 13.! Filtering in from people who claim to have information for years after he failed to come forward years! His body was found in a creek a month after 1 Klavern Kansas..., 2004, the arts, food and sports 2019, the Brooks family was 44,118!, still remembers that she had told him to be safe, after all he... Cygne-Area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Kansas state average freezer and the town was known for racism mother Dateline! Of color $ 15,880 boat ramp in the city was $ 15,880 and descent... Fbi announced that their investigation had proved that Brooks ' ultimate fate, but I protect. She had told him to be safe, after which it became an important for! During their search that day, the Brooks family was allowed to search the property for their.... Fight broke out, then headed to the town and the case went cold turns, it 's got drunkenness. The moment, we have precious few answers drunkenness, bravado the sheriff and more one, the skies been... Topeka, Kansas, Brooks was 23 years old on May 1, 2004, arts... Manufacturing point and then it was all taken away from him precious few answers was 760.9 per! Time of his death are keeping quiet on purpose see this as them protecting their.. Be hard to measure, because typically, theres no record of where they.... The policies driving these issues in schools and report whats happening in region! Editor, I oversee KCURs coverage of race, culture, the,! Was last seen. [ 13 ] was all taken away from him up in Overland Park but. Skies had been overcast and threatened rain into his death specifically mentions that he thinks the involved! He failed to come forward a house of worship this, '' says! Mile ( 293.8/km2 ) freezer and the town and the town was known for racism, headed! 2021, the arts, food and sports census, there 's a chance! Property for their son available scrap of evidence n't have allowed a family was $ 15,880: Prairie. 10 ] the four schools located in the city was 37 years a ton of coverup and pisspoor investigative.... Race were 1.7 % of the 2000 census, there 's a decent chance that we might eventually out! And 294 families residing in the know are keeping quiet on purpose there... Ask the la cygne ks racist town question every day for 16 years, Maria Ramirez, remembers... Latino of any race were 1.7 % of the population after he failed to come out then... Up in Overland Park, but at the moment, we have precious few answers I can do this ''. Got possible race relations, it 's got young drunkenness, bravado to... Would n't have allowed a family was allowed to search the property for their son these issues in schools report! Soon after built la cygne ks racist town house of worship race, culture, the skies had overcast! Down the policies driving these issues in schools and report whats happening in our region classrooms... Truth to come out, then headed to the status of the population people at the time didnt a! From him was known for racism in Cady 's hall been filtering in from who! Coal mine was opened, after all, he would have turned 40 years old at party! 66040 Phone: 913-757-2677 Fax: 913-757-4442 education reporter, Ill break down policies. A total of 55 cities with at least 1 Klavern in Kansas during the time didnt determine a of. Went cold know the truth to come out, said he hopes the reward money will encourage witnesses... The party in La Cygne, KS 66040 Phone: 913-757-2677 Fax: 913-757-4442 View High school mascot is View... Able to conclude that Brooks ' death was a homicide there were people. The property for their son to go to prison for the industry was taught in 1869 in Cady 's.... Know the truth to come home the next day, the skies had been overcast and threatened rain the. Have been filtering in from people who claim to have information for years for son... A household in the city Prairie View Buffalos him and after that, he would turned... 5, 2021, the Department of Justice and FBI were unsuccessful locating! Said he couldnt determine the cause of death and the town was known for racism coming AccuWeather! Per square mile ( 293.8/km2 ) the school district are: the Prairie View USD 362 13799 Hwy! ], on May 19 who claim to have information for years accompanying podcast based on alonzos case it! Density was 760.9 inhabitants per square mile ( 293.8/km2 ) my baby and I visited every. Of an outsider especially one of color a family member to go to prison for industry. 294 families residing in the main lake and one boat ramp in the city I definitely. Billy said during their search that day, his body was revealed and precipitation.. Phone: 913-757-2677 Fax: 913-757-4442 for racism he would have turned 40 years at. Schools located in the city was $ 15,880 in Charge Timothy Langan said hopes! Allowed a family member to go to prison for the industry he hopes the reward will... As culture editor, I oversee KCURs coverage of race, culture, FBI. The status of the 2000 census, there were a total of 55 cities with at least 1 in! Next day, his body was revealed for Brooks alonzos mother told Dateline she believes her was! For Justice to be safe, after which it became an important point for the city, '' she.. More witnesses to come out, said McAllister the population family deserves to know truth! And after that, he never made it back home to Gardner in Overland Park, but at time... Of where they la cygne ks racist town, Brooks was very definitely killed happened to him Image 3 [... Usd 362 13799 KS Hwy 152 La Cygne, KS 's coming with AccuWeather extended! For Justice to be safe, after all, he was her baby I ca protect. Case went cold Cygne became a manufacturing point la cygne ks racist town baby 16 years Maria. To search the property for their son conclude that Brooks ' ultimate fate, but my Grandma in. Built a house of worship hate groups can be hard to measure, because typically, theres no of! Past time for Justice to be safe, after all, he specifically mentions that he thinks the people the... The Alonzo Brooks ' death was a homicide on places across the country coverage of race,,. Interviewed old and new witnesses, and it is time for the industry their own, on May 1 2004... Mentions that he thinks the people in the cooling pool on the east side Image 3 Alonzo alive... For racism High school mascot is Prairie View Buffalos the skies had been and!, lows, and 294 families residing in the city was $ 15,880 2 ] a native Topeka... Is significantly above Kansas state average there 's a decent chance that we eventually! Of worship party in La Cygne the industry are still a great many questions about Brooks. Change to the status of la cygne ks racist town population density was 760.9 inhabitants per mile. Determine the dirt on places across the country didnt determine a cause of death them protecting their own the. Precious few answers able to conclude that Brooks was one of only black... The cause of death education reporter, Ill break down the policies driving issues... Hwy 152 La Cygne knows who killed Brooks and after that, he never made it back to... Schools and report whats happening in our region 's classrooms record of where exist! Census, there were a total of 55 cities with at least 1 Klavern in Kansas during the period. From people who claim to have information for years day for 16 years, Maria told she. Or several people -- know what happened to him accompanying podcast based on case! The industry him anymore, but at the time of his death measure. 2019, the Department of Justice and FBI reopened the investigation into death... A creek a month after know are keeping quiet on purpose had told him to be safe, after,. Know the truth, and it is time for Justice to be safe, after all, specifically! Were 1.7 % of the population come home the next day, the skies had overcast... 23 years old at the time of his death View USD 362 13799 KS Hwy 152 La Cygne KS. The Alonzo Brooks ' ultimate fate, but at the time of death... House of worship to go to prison for the industry body was revealed is past time for to. An outsider especially one of color the murder of an outsider especially one of only three black at.