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McCook Gazette

Girl's body found; stepfather arrested

Friday, September 23, 2011
Nebraska State Patrol release

SCOTTSBLUFF, Nebraska -- The search for 8-year-old Kerra Wilson has ended with the discovery of her body in a remote area of Sioux County.

In the early evening hours of Thursday, Sept. 22, investigators from the Nebraska State Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were notified by a local rancher alerting them to an area that he felt needed to be examined. The area was located several miles north of Mitchell. Upon their arrival investigators located what is believed to be the body of 8-year-old Kerra Wilson.

Preliminary identification of the body was made through articles of clothing, physical characteristics and evidence found at the scene. Due to the rugged terrain and time of night investigators were unable to move the body and process the scene.

Based on the discovery of Kerra's body and the evidence at the scene, Salvador Carlos Lopez, 32, Mitchell was arrested in the death of Kerra Wilson. At this time Lopez is being held in the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center on a charge of 1st Degree Murder.

"We were hoping to bring Kerra safely home to her family; sadly we weren't able to do that," said Lt. Monica Bartling of the Nebraska State Patrol. "We will continue gathering evidence in this case and work with the Sioux County Attorney to prosecute Salvador Lopez to the fullest extent of the law."

Kerra Wilson was reported missing by her family just before 3:00 p.m., (MDT) on Wednesday, Sept. 21. Initial reports were that Kerra had been last seen in the parking lot of the Mitchell Elementary School after being dropped off by her stepfather Salvador Lopez. It was determined through subsequent interviews with school staff and classmates that Kerra could not be placed anywhere on school grounds.

Lt. Bartling said, "The cooperation of the staff of Mitchell Elementary was key in determining that Kerra never made it to school on Wednesday. This has been a very difficult time for everyone involved and I want to thank the school staff, community volunteers and local law enforcement for their efforts and cooperation during this very difficult time. "

The recovery of Kerra's body and investigation into her death continues.

The Nebraska State Patrol and the FBI were assisted in the investigation by Team Adam, Mitchell, Morrill, Scottsbluff and Gering Police Departments, Scotts Bluff County Sheriff's Office and the Scotts Bluff County CERT Team.

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  • No mention has been made of where Kerra's mother and siblings were during the time she was missing. Knowing that answer won't bring the little one back and I am sure it will be thoroughly investigated for the safety of the other children. This is just so very sad (my granddaughters are about this age and looking at her sweet face in the picture just breaks my heart... I am sure it is really hard for people in that area).

    -- Posted by LindaInLincoln on Fri, Sep 23, 2011, at 1:04 PM

  • God rest her little soul. What are we as parents doing bringing such people into our children's lives? May God protect her now...

    -- Posted by orli65 on Fri, Sep 23, 2011, at 1:59 PM

  • This is so very sad.

    My heart breaks for the mother and estranged father, grandparents who, family, and little friends, all who just had to love this little angel!

    Now this family must live with such a horrid hole ripped from their hearts, the guilt, the thoughts of how they could have prevented this evil.

    You know little Kerra probably trusted this putrid swine, as she would, as any child would a stepfather, accepted by her mother into the family. Yes, this is a part of the horror one sees, envisioning the look of shock, as trust was replaced by fear, then death.

    No man, jury, nor judge can repay this child the harm done her. Nor can they properly revenge her the theft of her innocence, nor her death. No one can allow her to sweetly run into the warm arms of her grandparents, mother or father, or return their love.

    I pray, that this stepfather, or if not he, then whoever, harmed or assisted whatsoever in the making of this brutishness to this beautiful little child - dwell in the lowest of human incarceration, graduating upon his death to the pits of hells gruesomeness FOREVER!

    -- Posted by wooden_eye_Willy on Fri, Sep 23, 2011, at 2:54 PM

  • Why don't schools have Security Cameras??? Little Kyle from Portland, Oregon still has not been found, and his Stepmother also claimed she dropped him off at school. But he never showed up in class. He is 6 years old! Security cameras at the main entrances/exits and at strategic places around the grounds would have proved whether or not both of these kids were actually anywhere near the school that day.

    -- Posted by shalsey11 on Sat, Sep 24, 2011, at 10:18 AM

  • This stepfather is a real piece of work. I only hope that the good Lord gives this man Everything he deserves. To the family of this sweet 8 yr old girl my Heart goes out to you and your family. I am so sorry to hear about stories like this. I am deeply saddened that people like this are even allowed to ever get out of prison to do this again.

    People come on now. Help push a new bill through that stops these people from ever walking the streets again where out kids our.

    To our Little girl who's life was taken by this sick pervert. R.I.P. and all our love goes with you sweetie. God Bless you and your Family

    -- Posted by mhunter777 on Sat, Sep 24, 2011, at 10:49 AM

  • LindaInLincoln....

    WHAT are you talking about? Moronic comments once again in the McCook wipe's website. Why don't you arm chair the Husker coaching and leave investigations to the professionals.

    -- Posted by dane3737 on Sat, Sep 24, 2011, at 7:47 PM

  • Stop---- no more negativity needs to be brought into this discussion. Be respectful, be kind and most of say a prayer for this child and her family.

    -- Posted by mommily on Sat, Sep 24, 2011, at 10:39 PM

  • This is a sad story that happens much too often. It seems to me that once a man or woman becomes a single mom or single dad, the situation that some of us are put into shield our eyes from some of the things we should pay most attention to when selecting a person that could be a potential step parent. We tend to ignore things like a bad temper, substance abuse issues, resentment toward our children...things that would normally throw up alot of red flags. This is why we gather data on people...because you can predict what they will do by looking at what they have done in the past with some accuracy. There is no way to take back what has happened to this child, or console her family, or wish away the pain this child suffered before her life was taken. The only thing I hope is that people can learn from stories like this and keep the welfare of your children and/or grandchildren in mind before bringing another person in to thier lives. Dont ignore the red flags...dont make excuses for bad behavior of an adult that should be a role model for ALL children..not just his or her own kids. Select the people in your life well as you only have 1 chance to get it right, and it will pay you back many times over. There is no excuse for violence of any kind...especially towards a child..anybodies child.

    -- Posted by seentoomuch on Mon, Sep 26, 2011, at 5:03 PM
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