Photo credit: SARASOTA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
In a shocking discovery, authorities have finally identified the skeletal remains of a woman buried in the woods 16 years ago. The victim has been identified as Jeana Lynn Burrus, a 39-year-old mother who lived in Sarasota, Florida, with her husband and son.
Jeana’s body was first discovered in 2007, buried in a shallow grave in a wooded area of Ashton Ct. in Sarasota. Despite a decade and a half of investigations, detectives were unable to identify her body. It wasn’t until recently that advancements in DNA testing and genetic genealogy helped crack the case.
The investigation has taken an unexpected turn, as authorities are now searching for James Burrus, Jeana’s husband. Police say James worked at a local body shop in the 5600 block of Sarah Avenue in Sarasota, and the couple’s son attended Gulf Gate Elementary School between 2005 and 2006. Shockingly, James never reported his wife missing, and the Burrus family had previously lived in Citrus County, Florida, and Frederick, Maryland, before moving to Sarasota County.
The investigation into Jeana’s death has been further complicated by the fact that she was never reported missing by family, and her whereabouts had not been questioned. The Burrus family’s former home on Pauline Ave. has been searched by investigators, but nothing was found. The body shop where James previously worked has also been searched, but once again, nothing was found.
Authorities are now asking anyone who may have known either Jeana or James to come forward with any information that could help them understand the circumstances surrounding her death. The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone who has information on the case to contact them immediately.
As this investigation continues, one thing is for certain: the mysterious death of Jeana Lynn Burrus has left the community in shock and disbelief. The questions surrounding her disappearance and the 16-year delay in identifying her remains have only added to the intrigue of this tragic case.
