Still Missing & Unsolved: Ricky McCormick (St. Louis, MO 1999) & Branson Perry (Skidmore, MO 2001)

This Still Missing & Unsolved episode covers two Missouri mysteries that still resist a clean explanation: the death of Ricky McCormick, whose body was found with unreadable handwritten notes, and the disappearance of Branson Perry, who vanished from a family property in Skidmore in 2001. The episode matters because both cases show how a few surviving clues can be more frustrating than having none at all. Ricky McCormick Case Resources Official Law Enforcement Files: FBI Vault – Ricky McCormick Case Files : Access the fully digitized, primary documents from the FBI Laboratory's Cryptanalysis and Racketeering Records Unit (CRRU) . This file contains high-resolution copies of the actual encrypted notes (labeled Q1–Q3), investigative reports, and the bureau's formal standard analysis documentation. Case Overview & Public Cryptography Portals: Wikipedia – Ricky McCormick's Encrypted Notes : Provides a highly detailed breakdown of the timeline, the layout of the 30 rows of code, the internal contradictions regarding McCormick's literacy, and a comprehensive summary of how the case transitioned into a public-facing cryptography puzzle. Media Coverage & Investigative Deep Dives: CBS News Investigative Profile : Detailed national coverage highlighting the FBI’s rare decision to lift case restrictions to request amateur crowd-sourced cryptanalyst support. WNYC Studios – "Takeaway" Interview: An interview segment from April 2011 breaking down the unique nature of the cipher and why standard military-grade code-breaking mechanisms completely failed. Branson Perry Case Resources Official Databases & Case Tracking: Uncovered Case Profile – Branson Perry : A dedicated chronological visualization platform that tracks all known names, entities, and geographic points of interest tied to the 300 block of W Oak St. in Skidmore, MO. Recent Investigative Tracking & Local Reporting: FOX4 KC – FBI Joint Investigation Report : Details regarding the FBI bringing specialized tools to northern Missouri, specifically documenting the physical tracking, excavation, and sonar examination of the remote well location in Quitman, Missouri. KQ2 News St. Joseph – 25th Anniversary Reward Release : Local news coverage highlighting the 25th anniversary developments, including the active $100,000 cash reward criteria set by his brother Phillip, and the distribution of the Missouri Department of Corrections' 2026 Cold Case Playing Cards initiative (featuring Branson on the 2 of clubs).