Missouri Police Seek Answers in Renee Pernice Case

January 29, 2009

There are several cases of missing mothers in the news right now. Two of those cases – Kelly Currin Morris and Corrie L. Anderson – have received a considerable amount of coverage here in recent months. Now another case - a Missouri mother of three – joins them among the pages of the missing.

Renee Pernice, 35, was reported missing by her father, Rick Pretz, on the morning of Jan. 3. According to Rick, he contacted police after another daughter had a bizarre telephone conversation with Renee's husband, Shon Pernice, 37, during which he informed her that his wife had been gone for some time. Upon filing a police report, Rick and other family members, accompanied by a police officer, went to Renee's house. Shon Pernice was not home at the time; however, Rick had a key to the house, which the group used to make entry. Unfortunately, the search was cut short when Shon Pernice and his attorney showed up and ordered everyone out of the house.

Court documents indicate that Shon initially said that he had last seen his wife on Jan. 1 and then later changed the date to Jan. 2. He said he was asleep in the basement when she told him she was leaving. Shon told detectives that he could not remember what Renee was wearing or where she was going. Following that initial conversation with police Shon refused to answer any further questions and denied police access to the couple's children – two sons and a daughter Shon has from a previous marriage - ages 11, 8 and 6.

Shon's attorney, Kevin Baldwin, told the Kansas City Star that he had instructed Shon not to speak to police or the media because he believed he was being blamed for Renee's disappearance.

The mystery into Renee's disappearance further deepened the day she was reported missing, when a homeless man reported finding her phone near Sixth Street and Gladstone in Kansas City. The location is roughly 14 miles from her home.

When authorities questioned Renee's family members, they learned that her relationship with her husband was troubled. The couple had been married for about ten years, but, in 2005, Renee, a nursing instructor, filed for divorce. They eventually reconciled their differences and in Jan. 2007, and Renee had the case dismissed. Unfortunately, all was not bliss for long; troubles resurfaced last year, when Shon - a firefighter and National Guardsman – returned from a strenuous tour of duty in Iraq. According to family members, he suffered from post-traumatic stress syndrome.

The couple's marital problems continued to boil over, and Renee again filed for divorce. According to court documents, Shon was supposed to leave for a two-week military training session on Jan. 2. He had allegedly agreed that, upon his return, he would move out of the house.

All of the details surrounding the case have caused Kansas City Police Capt. Rich Lockhart to suspect foul play.

"This is a woman who has no criminal history; she is a very loving mother who would not abandon her children," Lockhart said in an interview with ABC News, adding, "This is totally out of character for her."

The case took another bizarre twist on Jan. 6, when Shon's employer, Independence Fire Department, contacted police to inform them about the use of Shon's electronic key card.

"It was learned that Shon gained access to the back door of fire station #5, Haz-Mat Station, on 01-03-08 at 0426 hours," read court documents. This was extremely unusual due to the fact of the time of day and the fact that Shon was not assigned to station #5. Shon was assigned to station #7. It should be noted that multiple types of cleaners, solvents, and cleaning supplies are stored at station #5."

Court documents also detail another unusual incident that occurred on the night of Jan. 6.

"During the evening hours, detectives were in the area watching Shon," court documents read. "The detectives observed Shon drive his mini-van to a public park named Line Creek Park approximately 1.5 miles from his residence. At the park, Shon released Renee's dog from the vehicle and drove away, indicating he had knowledge Renee would not be around to care for the animal. When it became obvious that Shon was not going to return to retrieve the animal, detectives secured the animal."

The following day, authorities secured a search warrant for Shon and Renee's house. Investigators removed several items, including carpet samples, bed sheets, latex gloves, 23 firearms, ammunition, a hollowed-out grenade, computer equipment, satellite equipment, and a fictitious Navy Seal identification card containing Shon's name and photograph.

Investigators also observed a reddish stain in the garage, which they say tested positive for blood.

"In the garage of the residence where the search was executed, hemastix tested positive for the presumption of human blood," court documents read. "Said samples were forwarded to the Regional Crime Lab for analysis."

Swabs were also collected from a bathroom sink, kitchen sink, garbage can, closet, and various other areas of interest.

In the days that followed, investigators obtained two more search warrants – one for Renee's 2007 Toyota Matrix and the other for orla swabs and fingerprints from Shon.

Read the police documents: warrant 1, warrant 2, warrant 3, evidence report 1, evidence report 2, and evidence report 3.

Last week, detectives investigating the case released two surveillance photographs that they said could be connected to the case. The first image, that of a white extended cab truck, was seen on the morning of Jan. 2 in the area where Renee's cell phone was recovered. The second photo was that of an unidentified woman. Investigators said they wanted to know whether she was connected to the truck in the first image.

Police have since identified the woman in the second surveillance photos as Kelli Sharp, a school teacher from Overland Park, Kan. Police have said that they believe Sharp is connected to Shon Pernice; however, they have refused to elaborate.

Sharp met with police for about three hours yesterday. It remains unclear whether she was able to provide them with any new information; however, her attorney, Edward Byrne, has since released a statement claiming that his client is not a suspect in Renee's disappearance.

 "Kelli Sharp was today interviewed by Kansas City police in connection with the above investigation. She was fully cooperative and answered all questions put to her, and without reservation," the statement reads. "During the interview, police once again unequivocally confirmed to Ms. Sharp she is not a suspect in this matter, nor is she accused of wrongdoing or participation, direct or indirect, in connection with the Jan. 2 disappearance of Ms. Pernice. Before the interview was terminated, Ms. Sharp expressed complete willingness to reappear at any time to answer any further questions authorities may have. Many persons who know Ms. Sharp to be a dedicated teacher and a devoted mother have offered her their full support in recent days, as she endures this very difficult period."

Sharp's alleged relationship with Shon Pernice remains unclear.

Meanwhile, investigators continue to move forward with the case. According to a spokesperson for the department, they remain confident that it will be resolved soon.

Neither Shon Pernice nor Kelli Sharp has been named a suspect in the case.

Renee Pernice is described as white, 5 feet 9 inches tall, and slender, with blue eyes and shoulder-length brown hair.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers TIPS hot line at 816-474-TIPS.

Photo Credits: Kansas City Police Department

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Comments

[Michelle]

Congrats on your nomination at In Cold Blog for Best Crime Blog and Blogger of 2008!!

http://incoldblogger.blogspot.com/2009/01/icb-detective-awards-best-of-2008-in.html

[lavanda dolce]

I pray she is found and that justice will be served. No child should ever be left worried and wondering about the whereabouts of their mom. She deserves a proper burial and the children closure. prayers.

[helenhudson]

Godspeed to Renee's family and investigators.

[don]

So many husbands suspected in their wifes disappearences...

[Buzz]

He abandoned his "wife's" dog? Geez the kid's Mom is missing and then their dog was abandoned. The one creature that gives unconditional love and comfort just by being there. He must not care much for his kids to do something like that.

[RJ the Fiction Writer]

Thank-you for covering this story. I don't think it has received the attention it has deserved. My heart goes out to the family.

[Suzan]

The Missing Renee Pernice Case out of KC Missouri has a connection to another high profile case of that of Missing Star Boomer 10 years ago, The two cases have one thing in common! Shon Pernice!

http://helpfindthelost.blogspot.com/

Helpfindthelost@yahoo.com

[fussball]

Good work here! Good content.