The Nation - News from Oct. 11, 1987

Authorities were exhuming the bodies of six of seven family members shot to death last month near Elkand, Mo., hoping to shore up their case against a man accused of murder in the case. Officials said the autopsies were to substantiate the cause of death. James E. Schnick, 36, is accused of killing his wife, Julie, 30; her brother Steve Buckner, 35; Buckner’s wife, Jeannette, 36; and the Buckners’ children, Kirk, 14, Dennis, 8, Timmy, 6, and Michael, 2. It was first believed Kirk Buckner was the killer and that he had died in a struggle with Schnick. An autopsy has been performed on Kirk Buckner.