Volunteers help search for evidence

Family members of Michael "Turtle" Strong gathered under oak trees and at picnic tables at his brother's house Sunday while volunteers searched the area surrounding Strong's home in Scopus, Mo., looking for evidence relating to his death Friday night.

The Cape Girardeau-Bollinger County Major Case Squad brought new evidence from the scene to the Bollinger County Sheriff's Department, but was unable to confirm the nature of the items, according to BCSD dispatch.

The Southeast Missourian reported in an earlier article that investigators had identified "people of interest," but did not have enough evidence to give a name. As of Sunday, no one had been arrested.

"We're just hoping for some answers," Strong's brother Matt Strong said Sunday. "My brother didn't have no enemies. We don't know why anyone would do this."

Strong died in his home Friday night from a single gunshot wound to the head. Authorities reported no sign of forced entry and said Strong's girlfriend called 911.

"It blew our minds," said Connie Grindstaff who lives in Scopus. She rode horses and roped with Strong's niece and nephew and has known the family for as long as she can remember.

"I never found he had an enemy in his life," she said. "He always just wanted everyone to be happy."

Grindstaff said she used to go to barbecues at Strong's house after trail rides and he never seemed to fight with anyone.

"He might get into the middle of it and try to calm them down," she said.

charris@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246