Video by Eric Keith

QUITMAN, Mo. - Law enforcement authorities quit digging Wednesday for clues about the 2001 disappearance of Skidmore's Branson Perry.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Nodaway County Sheriff's Department began digging Tuesday in Quitman, a community of about 55 people, on the parklike area east of Missouri Highway 113 after the patrol's drug and crime unit received a "credible tip," said Sgt. Sheldon Lyon, a spokesman for the Highway Patrol.

"This is an ongoing investigation, and any time we receive a credible tip we're going to investigate," Mr. Lyon said.

The patrol called off further excavation Wednesday near Quitman.

Excavators dug a 23-foot hole that covered an area about 20 feet by 40 feet during their two days on site. The visible results were logs, scrap metal, rocks and dirt piled 12 feet high in some spots.

As the Highway Patrol prepared to depart Wednesday afternoon, Jo Ann Stinnett, Mr. Perry's grandmother, arrived on the scene. Mrs. Stinnett said no one had told her what was happening.

Mr. Lyon explained in general terms before telling her, "If he was a victim of a homicide, we're the first step in finding peace of mind for the family." The Highway Patrol has to follow every lead, he said.

Mrs. Stinnett thanked him, declined to speak to the News-Press and departed the area with a smile and a wave.

Becky Klino, Branson's mother, finished a cancer treatment and was resting Wednesday, said her husband, Jim. She was unable to speak to the media, Mr. Klino said.

Nine years of searching has covered a lot of area in trying to find the young man. A local farmer explained what happened on his farm several years ago.

The Highway Patrol dug holes on the farm, 1.5 miles east of Quitman, looking for the boy and searched the well, but nothing was found, said Nolan Bruce Thompson, who stopped by Wednesday.

Investigators will continue reviewing all recent tips in Mr. Perry's disappearance, Mr. Lyon said.

"At this time, with the leads we're getting," he said, "I'm confident the Missouri State Highway Patrol is making progress."

Mr. Lyon declined to talk about any specifics.

Mr. Perry was 20 when he disappeared April 11, 2001. He was last seen at home in Skidmore. A $20,000 reward is offered for information leading to his whereabouts and/or the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for his disappearance. Call Troop H or the TIPS hot line at 238-TIPS.

News-Press reporter Ray Scherer, who can be reached at rscherer@npgco.com, contributed to this report. Marshall White can be reached at marshall@npgco.com.