Before killing his kin, the man allegedly stabbed to death his mother's childhood friend Rebecca Reynolds, 83, in Allegany County. She was found dead inside her home with a deep cut across her throat and a pillow over her face.Police investigating Reynolds' murder found her stolen car on Kerger Road and learned that Mr Burnham's brother lived nearby. When the police went to the pharmacist's home to enquire, they found Mr Burnham's brother and his wife lying dead.
She reportedly informed the police that her son lived with her and kept a security system in his bedroom at their home. Ms Burnham called the police again on 30 September concerned over her son’s talk of “Becky’s car,” referring to Ms Reynolds.