A criminal probe has been launched in Burleson following the discovery of a shallow grave in a residential backyard. The grave held the remains of a 26-year-old man, which led to the investigation that initially started as a welfare check after a tip-off suggested the man might have died.
The deceased has been identified as Jonathan Kinman, a young man with special needs. His remains were exhumed and transported to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination. Kinman was the son of December and Jonathan Mitchell, the tenants of the property where the body was discovered. The Mitchells are currently facing charges related to tampering with physical evidence, a crime classified as a second-degree felony.
The police were alerted by individuals who were acquainted with the family and were worried about Kinman’s sudden disappearance. When interrogated, the Mitchells acknowledged Kinman’s death but were ambiguous about the circumstances surrounding it.
Initial reports suggested that Kinman had been taken to a hospital and declared dead there. However, these claims have since been debunked by law enforcement officials. Judy Harris, a neighbor, remembered noticing a significant increase in police and medical examiner vehicles in the area in early October.
The sequence of events remains uncertain, with investigators unsure of how long Kinman’s body had been buried. It is known that Kinman suffered from a health condition that affected his growth and overall health.
The Kinman family has expressed their shock and distress over the situation, describing it as a “living nightmare.” They have pledged full cooperation with the authorities in their quest for justice.
The incident has left neighbors puzzled and questioning the actions of the Mitchells. One neighbor noted, “If it was natural causes, they had nothing to fear,” questioning why the police were not immediately informed. As the investigation progresses, the Mitchells have been granted bail, although the exact amounts have not been disclosed.