Two sets of brothers. Two families. Two countries. And still, no answers.
For decades, the cases of the Skelton brothers in Michigan and the O’Brien brothers in Newfoundland have haunted communities, devastated families, and left investigators searching for the truth. Both cases share heartbreaking similarities: children taken by their fathers, conflicting stories, and years of unanswered questions.
The Skelton Brothers – Missing Since 2010
On Thanksgiving Day in 2010, three young brothers—Andrew (9), Alexander (7), and Tanner (5) Skelton—vanished from Morenci, Michigan. Their father, John Skelton, was supposed to return them to their mother after a holiday visit but never did.
Skelton later claimed that he gave the boys to an underground group to keep them safe. However, investigators have repeatedly said his story has never been credible. He was later convicted of unlawful imprisonment and is serving a prison sentence, but the whereabouts of the boys remain unknown.
The boys’ mother, Tanya Zuvers, has endured years of heartache, clinging to hope while facing unimaginable pain. After a decade without answers, she has had to pursue the unthinkable—having her children declared legally deceased.
Yet, questions remain. Could the brothers still be alive? What truly happened on that Thanksgiving Day?
The O’Brien Brothers – Missing Since 1996
On November 9, 1996, in Torbay, Newfoundland, three brothers—Adam (14), Trevor (11), and Mitchell (4) O’Brien—disappeared after a visit with their father, Gary O’Brien. He did not have custody of the boys and had told their mother he would not be returning them.
That same night, Gary claimed his house was rigged with explosives. By the time police arrived, both Gary and the boys were gone.
To this day, the O’Brien brothers remain missing, and an active warrant for Gary O’Brien’s arrest is still in place. Despite countless searches and appeals, investigators have never been able to locate the children or their father.
For nearly three decades, their mother has lived with unanswered questions, holding onto hope that someone, somewhere, knows something.
Why Awareness Matters
The stories of the Skelton and O’Brien brothers are tragically similar—children taken by a parent, families left shattered, and decades of pain without resolution. Both cases remind us that silence helps no one. Even the smallest piece of information could help bring peace to these families.
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For the Skelton brothers, contact the Michigan State Police or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).
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For the O’Brien brothers, contact the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary or MissingKids.ca.
What’s Next
As time passes, awareness becomes even more critical. These cases may be decades old, but they are not forgotten. Family members, law enforcement, and child advocacy organizations continue to push for answers and keep the brothers’ stories alive.
By sharing their stories, raising awareness, and keeping their names in the public eye, we can ensure that the search continues. Hope persists, even in the face of years of silence.
The disappearances of Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton and Adam, Trevor, and Mitchell O’Brien remain unresolved tragedies. But awareness and vigilance can make a difference.
Please share their stories. You could be the one who helps bring peace to these families.
This is a developing story. We will update this article as more information becomes available.
