Owner of Maitland Opera House Disappears After Fire Burns It Down
By: Christina Mancuso Aug. 28, 2013
A fire destroyed the Maitland Opera House on Saturday morning. Three days later, authorities are still trying to uncover debris and evidence to answer questions about property owner, Kenneth Rainwater, who disappeared after the fire began.
According to reports, Holt County Sheriff Scott Wedlock said investigators have now uncovered evidence that is being analyzed by law enforcement, an anthropologist, a wildlife biologist, and a pathologist.
"Rainwater was charged in May with three counts of possession of child pornography that he allegedly had inside his residence at the opera house. He was released from jail on a $50,000 surety bond on Aug. 19," reports say.
Larry Rowlett, friend and co-worker at the Department of Correction's Maryville Treatment Center, said, "The day he got bailed out, I went to the post office and he was in there, but he looked pretty bad, pretty sad. Rowlett said that Rainwater told him, 'I'm looking at 25 to 30 (years). I'm not going to prison.'"
Two notes were also found in Rainwater's vehicle detailing his "military explosive experience" and the intent to leave the country because "he couldn't get a fair trial."
The Holt County Sheriff's Department, Nodaway County authorities, Missouri State Fire Marshal investigators and members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are all on the scene for further investigation.
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