April 16, 2020

2 Min Read
Scottsbluff, NE, Self-Storage Owner Discovers Bodies of Son, Son’s Friend in Facility Unit

Update 4/16/20 – Investigators have ruled the deaths of Baily and Gealy as accidental. Toxicology reports show the pair died of unintentional carbon-monoxide poisoning, according to a source.

The joint investigation by the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff's Office and Scottsbluff Police Department included personal interviews and a review of the self-storage facility’s video-surveillance footage. Authorities also executed search warrants and subpoenas to obtain more than 1,000 pages of cell-phone and social-media records.

3/6/20 – Preliminary reports released this week from the March 2 autopsies of Baily and Gealy show they likely died of asphyxia. There was no evidence of trauma, according to the attending physician. A final cause and manner of death won’t be determined until toxicology reports are in, which could take several weeks, a source reported.

Investigators from the Scottsbluff Police and Scotts Bluff County Sheriff's Departments attended the autopsies at Regional West Medical Center. Both agencies are investigating the deaths. Authorities believe the two died on Feb. 18, the last day they were reported to be seen.

“There was nothing to indicate that it was anything other than accidental,” said Scotts Bluff County Attorney Dave Eubanks.

3/3/20 – Jerry Gealy, owner of Jerry’s Self Storage in Scottsbluff, Neb., discovered two bodies in one if his units on Friday morning who have been identified as Gealy’s son and one of the son’s friends. Beau Gealy, 29, and Maci Baily, 18, were reported missing on Feb. 22 and 21, respectively. They’d been last seen alive on Feb. 18, when they were captured on video-surveillance footage at a local business.

Jerry Gealy discovered the pair during a routine facility check, a source reported. The unit, which was rented to a customer, was found unlocked. Beau Gealy’s pickup truck was inside along with the bodies.

Though an investigation is underway, per standard protocol, police don’t suspect foul play. An autopsy was scheduled for yesterday. The truck will also be processed for evidence, according to Scotts Bluff County Sheriff Mark Overman.

Jerry Gealy also owns Aman Storage and Scottsbluff Storage, both in Scottsbluff. All three sites offer 24-hour access, drive-up units, and online reservations and billpay.

Sources:
Star Herald, Authorities Confirm Bodies of Two Missing Individuals Found; Autopsies Scheduled for Monday
Kearney Hub, Bodies of Missing Man, Woman Found in Scottsbluff Storage Unit; Foul Play Not Suspected
Star Herald, Evidence Suggests Two Adults Died of Asphyxia, Believed to Be Accidental, County Attorney Says
News Channel Nebraska, Death of Two People Found in Scottsbluff Storage Unit Ruled Accidental

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