BRAYMER, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri law enforcement is now considering the case of the two missing Wisconsin brothers as a death investigation.
Garland "Joey" Nelson made his first court appearance via video Monday and was denied a request to be released on bond. However, given the change investigation he will have a bond hearing on Thursday, officials said.
Police are still searching for the missing brothers. A 74-acre farm is the focus of the investigation, however; inclement weather has made any search for evidence more dfificult.
The extent of the relationship between the two parties is still unclear besides that the brothers and Nelson were doing business together. Officials said it's unclear exactly what happened between the two.
Nelson is charged with tampering with a motor vehicle used by Nick and Justin Diemel, who owned Diemel's Livestock in Bonduel, Wisconsin. The brothers were in northwest Missouri to check cattle for their business when they disappeared July 21.
Nelson was arrested Friday. Charging documents allege he abandoned the rental truck the brothers were using in a commuter parking lot in Holt, Missouri, after the brothers went missing.
No other charges have been filed.
AP-WF-07-29-19 1913GMT
