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Former Trooper: Lies, corruption and cover-up in death of Brandon Ellingson

Brandon Ellingson was a vibrant 20-year-old who died while in custody of Missouri Highway Patrol on the Lake of the Ozarks in May 2014.
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Brandon Ellingson was a vibrant 20-year-old who died while in custody of Missouri Highway Patrol on the Lake of the Ozarks in May 2014. 

He was arrested for public intoxication, and within a few hours Ellingson was dead. He drowned while handcuffed and in the care of a Missouri water patrolman. 

A whistleblower is now shedding light on the investigation into his death and says cover-ups, lies and corruption are to blame. 

Former Sergeant Randy Henry is retiring from the Missouri Highway Patrol in December, but is under paid leave until that time. He now considers himself done with the organization, and he’s ready to move on. 

“I had my retirement letter typed up, I couldn’t wait to hit send,” said Henry. “It was one of the happiest days of my life.” 

He says a mistake he made working for the organization he now calls corrupt will stay with him for the rest of his life. 

“That is something you’ll never forget,” said Henry. “I wasn’t driving the boat that day, but I was a part of this organization. We all have to take responsibility. It’s something that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.” 

The mistake he says was when Missouri Highway Patrol merged it’s road and water operations and he was in charge of signing off on the training of Trooper Anthony Piercy. 

“They actively encouraged him to be a top dog, and I think that had a little to do with all of this,” said Henry. 

Henry says when it came to the drowning, Piercy failed horribly to do the right thing. 

“It was a very simple rescue, if he had maintained his wits and jumped in and told people he needed help he could have got him,” said Henry. “You don’t let a kid out there fighting for his life while you’re in the boat, he didn’t even call for backup.” 

When it came time for the state coroner to investigate if Piercy should face criminal charges, Henry says Highway Patrol purposely withheld evidence and witnesses to change the outcome of the investigation. Henry says the lies and mistakes cost Brandon Ellingson his life.

“Missouri Highway Patrol killed Brandon, (Anthony Piercy) being responsible, but I share in that responsibility,” said Henry. 

Piercy does not face any criminal charges and remains on the job at this time, a fact Henry struggles with. 

“I believe there are elements there for involuntary manslaughter,” said Henry. 

Missouri State Patrol officials decline to comment on the case. A special prosecutor has been appointed to re-examine the death investigation, but no results have come from that at this time. 

The Ellingson family has filed a civil case in the matter. 

Stay with Local 5 for the latest developments. 

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