Authorities discovered that Mary Buckley was missing on April 21, 2015 when they arrived at her home to notify her that her son had taken his own life. An Endangered Silver Advisory was issued.
Hikers in Eco Park in St. Charles made the grisly discovery of Gary Buckley's body hanging from a branch over a dry creek bed. Carved into a tree trunk near where Gary Buckley’s body was found were the words “I’m sorry.” Broken twigs arranged on the ground seemed to spell out “Gary,” authorities said.
“Occasionally, (Buckley) would live in the park area out in the woods, so he was considered semi-homeless at times,” St. Charles Police Captain Don Thurman
Police learned that his mother Mary Buckley, 77, had been in failing health and Gary Buckley had been living with her in her home in St. Peters on Sugar Glen Drive. She has three daughters, but their relationship with her was strained in part because of her decision to give her son medical power of attorney.
Her condo on appeared undisturbed when police arrived, but her 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe was missing and her neighbors, who described the pair as reclusive, said they hadn’t seen her for about a week.
SHE HAS, COPD, AND NEEDS OXYGEN AROUND THE CLOCK, AND ALSO SUFFERS FROM ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE.
Last Known Location
Map
Because police suspected foul play,
they searched the Missouri River for her SUV near where Gary Buckley’s body had been found. Police pulled four cars out of
Blanchette Landing, but found no sign of her vehicle.
Later that day, a train conductor notified police that he had spotted a silver SUV matching the description of Buckley’s Hyundai in woods in Bridgeton, off the railroad tracks, just south of Highway 370, about two miles from where Gary Buckley’s body was discovered. Police speculate he left the vehicle there and walked to Eco Park.
“When they found the car, it was definitely tucked back and away like he didn’t want it to be found,” -St. Peters Officer Melissa Doss
Police found a suicide note in the vehicle. It mentioned Mary Buckley only once — when Gary Buckley said caring for her was more of a burden than he thought it would be, Doss said. But it gave no clue about what might have happened to her.
"We're looking at all avenues. We're looking at avenues that she was put into a medical facility prior to any of this and it just wasn't communicated with anybody. And we are looking into -- was she harmed prior to his passing? We are looking at all of that."
St. Peters Officer Melissa Doss
Mary is described as 5' 0" - 5’4″ tall, and has grey hair, blue eyes. Mary wears glasses and Mary's dentures were also found in her residence (She is missing all her front teeth).
Agency Case Number: 15-9104
If you have any information, please contact:
St. Peters Police Department
Phone: (636) 278-2222 or
Crime Solvers Tip Line: 636-278-1000
Verify active missing status
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