BELTON, TX — The family of a man who was brutally murdered in Belton held a memorial barbecue for the first anniversary of his death.
In September 2018, Michael VanLandingham was shot twice in the head before his body was burned in the woods near FM 1670. He is remembered for his service to our country and generous nature.
The barbecue began at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at the site where his body was found near FM 1670.
The family carefully maintains this area near where Michael drew his last breath. A cross with several statues and flags serves as a cherished memorial. However, they are looking to build a permanent monument in his memory in the near future.
“Where they etch in his name and his picture, and also a letter from President Trump. Trump gave us a real nice letter to honor our son for fighting for our country,” said Wayne Rourke, Michael’s father.
The family collected donations at the barbecue.
“I would just like to put that monument out here. Let everybody know that it was a soldier out here that these idiots killed,” said Rourke.
After the tragedy, Michael’s family met a Belton man who saw the memorial. One day, while the family was visiting the site, Joe Trevino pulled over to learn more about the man whose life was cut short.
“It’s pretty sad when the soldier’s return from duty and tour and they die right here in the motherland,” said Trevino.
Trevino wanted to help make the memorial more fitting for an American hero.
“He had a small flag. It was a tiny one. And I said, "I’m going to get him a bigger flag,"” said Trevino. He replaced it with a large flag that flies over his memorial. On the day of the barbecue, he retired the flag, and replaced it with a new one.
“I thought that American flag needed to be flying,” he said.
The family is putting together a petition they would like to one day deliver to Governor Greg Abbott. They say the property where Michael was killed, known as the compound, is ridden with criminal activity.
“Getting everybody to sign a petition on the crimes that are going on on this property where they killed my son. It’s more crimes than that, and drugs. I want to get rid of that property. Get that place leveled and put something there. Maybe a park or something,” said Rourke.
The property is divided. The area up until the first fence of the compound is considered inside the Belton city limit. The rest of the property is unincorporated Bell County.
We reached out to the Bell County Sheriff’s Office. They said while they have been out to the property in the past, they have not seen any significant activity.
Dana Francis Walcott and Owen Free III are facing charges in connection with his murder. Their trials are set to begin on Nov. 4.
