Law enforcement seeking potential leads in Branson Perry case

By Jenna Wilson

The Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies began searching areas in Quitman, Missouri, on Wednesday in connection to the 23-year missing person case for Branson Perry.

The Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office put out a press release stating the department received a tip in the search for Perry, who vanished in 2001 from Skidmore, Missouri, at age 20. The sheriff’s office believed the tip to be credible and immediately began following up on it, which led authorities to Quitman. As of Thursday, the Missouri State Highway Patrol Water Division was involved in checking a well on a property.

The sheriff’s office has contacted the FBI, which will be sending a specialized agent to assist in assessing the area moving forward. Law enforcement will remain on the scene until the tip is resolved, Sheriff Randy Strong confirmed.

In 2022, News-Press NOW reported that officers said they had a suspect in Perry’s disappearance, but there wasn’t enough evidence to make an arrest.

News-Press NOW will continue following the investigation as information is released.