Nelson still in jail regarding Diemels’ disappearance

BRAYMER, Mo. — As local events and fundraisers continue for the families of Nick Diemel, 35, and his 24-year-old brother, Justin Diemel, both of Bonduel, Garland “Joey” Nelson, the sole suspect connected with their disappearance, remains jailed awaiting a preliminary hearing on Aug. 15.

Lisa Diemel, wife of Nick Diemel, is now managing the brothers’ business and her family’s affairs, after being granted special administrator status in Shawano County Probate Court on Aug. 1. Judge William Kussel Jr. ruled that it appeared the brothers are deceased and there was a demonstrated need for a special administrator.

Missouri state court documents stated Nelson appeared on Aug. 8 from the jail via video link for a bond hearing. The Braymer, Missouri man, now represented by Ryan E. Williams, a public defender, requested the continuation. Judge Jason Kanoy will preside over the preliminary hearing.

At an Aug. 1 hearing, Nelson said he had a private attorney, according to the Kansas City Star newspaper web site. Nelson has been held since in the Caldwell County, Missouri, detention center on a felony charge of tampering with a motor vehicle since his arrest on July 26.

Nelson is accused of driving a white Ford F250 pickup truck, rented by the Diemels, from his farm where he met with the brothers on July 21 to Holt, Missouri. Court documents state Nelson abandoned the truck at a commuter parking lot 35 miles from his farm.

Clinton County Sheriff Larry Fish described Nelson as the only suspect July 31. Fish also said on July 31 that foul play was suspected and was now a focus of the investigation, according to the Kansas City Star newspaper web site.

Fish and other authorities have described the search “an active death investigation” since July 25.

Nelson’s farm in northwest Missouri, has been the focus of investigators’ efforts from nearly two dozen county, state and federal agencies since the brothers were reported missing after they did not make their return flight to Milwaukee on July 22.

Human remains found on the farm on July 31 have been turned over to forensics experts. Officials did not speculate on the length of time required to complete the examination.

“The cause of death has not been determined,” Clinton County Sheriff Larry Fish said in a report from KMBC, a Kansas City television station.

Fish said he could not comment on how or where the remains in Braymer were found, according to KMBC.

The brothers haven’t been seen since July 21; the last date they communicated with friends and family before meeting Nelson. The brothers flew into Kansas City on July 20 and rented the truck. They stayed overnight in Cameron, Missouri, before going to Braymer.