Homicide in Northeast Missouri

[BJS]

Early on the morning of Thursday, March 23, Melvin 'Beau' Griesbauer was found dead outside his home in rural Novinger, Missouri. Griesbauer died of a single gunshot wound to the head. A Winchester 30-30 rifle was laying next to his body. Following a preliminary investigation and autopsy, the death was ruled a homicide.

When law enforcement arrived at the scene, following two 911 calls--one originating from the scene--Griesbauer's wife Elain Kay Young and her friend, Kathy Mock of Cassville, Mo., were present.

After a weeklong investigation by the Adair County Sheriff's Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Drug and Crime Control Unit, Adair County Prosecutor Mark Williams filed a first-degree murder charge against Kathy Mock. Some of the evidence leading to Mock's arrest came from an interview with her son, Thomas Ponder, who told authorities his mother had told him Kay Young wanted her husband killed and there was a $10,000 payment to anyone who would kill him. According to Williams, Mock may not be the only arrest for Griesbauer's death. Investigators are pursuing other charges of first degree murder or conspiracy to commit murder.

I am a freelance writer researching this homicide for a possible true crime book. I'm looking for any information that might be available about the individuals involved: Elain Kay (Hammons) Young, Kathy Mock, Thomas Ponder, Melvin Griesbauer, and interested in other contacts who might have insights and information about this murder.

[kindeejackson]

I am surprised there is not more interest in this case.

I too would like to know more about the details and history of this crime and possible others within the story.

There must be locals who know the people named in this story. Please weigh in!

[anonymous from MO]

I know them, & some of the "facts" reported in the paper are not always correct. The rifle was not laying next to him, but in the barn doorway. Kay did not want him dead, far from it. Last I heard, Kathy Mock is wanting a change of venue.

[BJS]

anonymous from MO wrote:

I know them, & some of the "facts" reported in the paper are not always correct. The rifle was not laying next to him, but in the barn doorway. Kay did not want him dead, far from it. Last I heard, Kathy Mock is wanting a change of venue.

The position of the rifle, according to investigators, was one indication this was no self-inflicted gunshot wound. I don't know if media specifically said where the gun was. Also, I don't see anywhere in the original post where Kay was mentioned as a suspect in the shooting. Is there a reason you're defensive?

[kindeekat]

anonymous from MO wrote:

I know them, & some of the "facts" reported in the paper are not always correct. The rifle was not laying next to him, but in the barn doorway. Kay did not want him dead, far from it. Last I heard, Kathy Mock is wanting a change of venue.

Well do tell all you DO know and how you know it PLEASE!

[tracy]

I am mother to 2 of mel's children. I learned of his death just a day after the fact. I know for a fact that it wasn't suicide and that there are people still being investigated in this. I talked to mel about 3 or 4 days before he was shot and he was fine and not in the least suicidal. My children even talked to him during that same phone call.
After I was told about this I had to break the news to the boys that their dad was gone. Being that they are still children I just let them know he didn't suffer and will one day tell them the rest of the events that happened.

[BJS]

tracy wrote:

I am mother to 2 of mel's children. I learned of his death just a day after the fact. I know for a fact that it wasn't suicide and that there are people still being investigated in this. I talked to mel about 3 or 4 days before he was shot and he was fine and not in the least suicidal. My children even talked to him during that same phone call.
After I was told about this I had to break the news to the boys that their dad was gone. Being that they are still children I just let them know he didn't suffer and will one day tell them the rest of the events that happened.

No, this was no suicide. Law enforcement was able to determine that very quickly. The gun was close to the body, but its position ruled out suicide.

The question seems to be why would Katherine Mock shoot this man? There has to be a motive.

[BJS]

tracy wrote:

I am mother to 2 of mel's children. I learned of his death just a day after the fact. I know for a fact that it wasn't suicide and that there are people still being investigated in this. I talked to mel about 3 or 4 days before he was shot and he was fine and not in the least suicidal. My children even talked to him during that same phone call.
After I was told about this I had to break the news to the boys that their dad was gone. Being that they are still children I just let them know he didn't suffer and will one day tell them the rest of the events that happened.

No, this was no suicide. Law enforcement determined that very quickly in this case.

The question seems to be why (the motive) Kathy Mock would shoot Mel? There has to be a motive.

(I answered this once but it seems the post disappeared!)

[kindeekat]

tracy wrote:

I am mother to 2 of mel's children. I learned of his death just a day after the fact. I know for a fact that it wasn't suicide and that there are people still being investigated in this. I talked to mel about 3 or 4 days before he was shot and he was fine and not in the least suicidal. My children even talked to him during that same phone call.
After I was told about this I had to break the news to the boys that their dad was gone. Being that they are still children I just let them know he didn't suffer and will one day tell them the rest of the events that happened.

My heart goes out to you and your boys, "tracy"---I just hope Law Enforcement is still working on this MURDER and it doesn't fade into oblivion and become a cold case. NOBODY thinks this is a suicide--Peace to you and your family, Tracy. You need more answers before you can possibly answer those boys' questions. I hope you get them.

[tracy]

well, I keep in contact with mel's family and the last I knew it didn't take long for kathy's arraingment<sp?>

The day I found out about this Mel and I were supposed to have a phone conference with some other individuals < completely sepereate issue> and the judge that was on the phone put me on hold while he went to get mel, and I waited and waited then finally he comes back with " I don't know how to tell you this" and " I've never had this happen before "

I offered right then to call mel's mom and dad and did. They confirmed he'd died and the I almost felt like I was on a soap opera.." as the stomach turns" :/

My boys are doing okay now, but I hope that one day this will all be over and when it is I hope that all those involved get the justice they deserve.

I have to admit to you life with mel was never easy at times but even when we were having issues I never once thought along the lines that these people did, you know what I mean?

[BJS]

Most of Mock's court hearings have been very brief. It appears she is staying silent on what actually happened the night Mel was shot. Law enforcement is also playing this close to the chest.

[Non]

This is an interesting thread. Is there anything new on this case?

[BJS]

I'm sure law enforcement is working on the case, but there's nothing new that's been in the media.

[Jean Ballard]

I was Kathy's so called best friend,at the time. she came to my house after. I also talked to Kay after all this happened, and she just kept telling me to tell Kathy she loves her. i think that is very strange and i also think it's BS that Kay is not in jail also. But maybe time will tell. I pray for Mels children. I hope this all comes to an end soon so I can get my life back.

[BJS]

Jean Ballard wrote:

I was Kathy's so called best friend,at the time. she came to my house after. I also talked to Kay after all this happened, and she just kept telling me to tell Kathy she loves her. i think that is very strange and i also think it's BS that Kay is not in jail also. But maybe time will tell. I pray for Mels children. I hope this all comes to an end soon so I can get my life back.

It would seem Mock is sitting in jail silent...not implicating Kay. Of course, there does need to be other evidence to implicate an accomplice in a crime. Law enforcement remain hush hush on what evidence they have, both on Mock and Kay Young.

[tlc]

I was in Iraq with Melvin and was curious as to how things were moving along. Glad to find this thread. I hope justice gets served. I havent found anything on the 2 women.

[BJS]

If you were close to Mel while in Iraq, did he ever mention "trouble on the home front?" He had only been a few months before the homicide.

Supposedly, his wife took out a very large insurance policy on him before he left for Iraq. Did Mel ever mention that? I wonder if he even knew she had done that.

[Jean Ballard]

Yes I think he did. I can't say too much because I don't want to harm the police. But it will all come out and those two will pay for what they did, i really feel that.

[BJS]

There's been a lot of rumor and gossip locally about this case, one of which claims there was someone else there--in addition to Mock and Kay--the night Mel was shot. Any truth to that?

I hope, when this case is tried and resolved, you would be willing to share your knowledge of the people involved and the events leading up to and following the shooting.

If you would like to communicate with me in a less public forum, you can e-mail me at:

[e-mail]

[Jean Ballard]

I will talk to you after all this is over. I never herd of any body else being there.