John Skelton Described as 'Loner'

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - FOX 2 spoke to friends and neighbors of John Skelton. Many describe him as anything but your average neighbor.

"This is a big hunting community, and usually everybody knows everybody," Bill Foster said.

However, John Skelton was the exception.

"He was kind of a loner," said Foster, a neighbor and friend.

A loner that many in this small town say they could never get close to.

"He liked his computers. He was kind of a person all to himself," Foster told FOX 2's Alexis Wiley.

Unlike his estranged wife, Tanya, John Skelton did not grow up in Morenci. He is from a military family. As a long haul truck driver, he spent most of his time on the road until recently and when he was home, family friends say he spent a lot of time on the internet.

It appears John and Tanya were complete opposites.

"Tanya, she was outgoing. A lot of people know her in the community. The boys had a wonderful spirit. They are three great kids," said Foster.

The couple had been separated for months. Police won't confirm it, but friends say John was harassing Tanya over the internet.

Tanya filed for divorce on September 13th after John took nine-year-old Andrew and seven-year-old Alexander to Florida. Court records show he was granted parenting time on October 11th.

Now that Andrew, Alexander and Tanner are missing, so many in this community wish they had known John Skelton better so maybe then they would have a better idea of what happened to these young boys loved by so many.

"It just makes you sick," Foster said.

John Skelton is still in the hospital, and authorities tell FOX 2 they do not expect him to be released anytime soon.