Three people found dead in Washington County, police searching for a man connected to slayings
Update:
Monday morning at about 8:00 a.m., the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department received a tip that Richard Lee Burton, Jr’s vehicle was parked at the Blackwell Horse Camp in Monroe County near State Road 446.
When deputies approached the vehicle they found a body believed to be that of Richard Lee Burton, Jr. deceased in his vehicle. The official confirmation of identification on Richard Lee Burton, Jr will be made by the Monroe County Coroner’s Office.
This investigation is continuing but, information discovered from last night’s investigation by Indiana State Police Detectives lead investigators to believe Richard Lee Burton, Jr. was responsible for the deaths of all three victims located inside of the residence at 5882 South Beck’s Mill Road in rural Washington County. If information is discovered that changes this belief, Indiana State Police Detectives will obviously follow those leads.
The cause of death to Richard Lee Burton, Jr will be released by the Monroe County Coroner. The information on the identities and causes of death to the three bodies located on Beck’s Mill Road will not be released until the autopsies are completed in Salem tomorrow morning.
Original:
State police are asked for the public’s help in locating a man wanted for questioning in a murder investigation near Salem, Ind.
Around 4:30 p.m. Sunday, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department did a welfare check at a residence located at 5882 South Beck’s Mill Road, in rural Washington County, (approximately fourteen miles from the City of Salem). The welfare check was the result of a phone call with the caller being worried about the well-being of the occupants of the residence.
When a deputy arrived at the residence and upon knocking on the door he noticed a deceased person inside of the residence. Other police officers arrived at the scene and a search of the residence was completed with officers locating two other bodies inside of the home.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Department requested the assistance of Indiana State Police Detectives and Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigators who have assumed the investigation.
At this time, officers are looking for Richard Lee Burton, Junior, a 47-year-old white male who is considered a person of interest in the investigation. He has long brown hair, sometimes worn in a ponytail, he is 5-foot 9-inches tall with blue eyes. Burton was residing at the residence where the crime took place.
Information received during the initial investigation reveals Richard Lee Burton, Jr. could be involved in the deaths or could know something about the deaths of the three deceased victims inside of the home. He should also be considered armed and dangerous.
Police believe Burton could be headed to the states of Tennessee, Missouri or Texas and is likely driving a blue 1997 Dodge Ram 4-by-4 2500 extended cab pickup truck. The truck could possibly have a black or dark blue camper shell. The vehicle should be bearing Indiana license plate, TK641MUK.
If anyone knows the location of Burton or sees him or his vehicle, they should contact 911 immediately.
The identities of the victims and their causes of death will not be released until autopsies are performed in Salem. These autopsies are scheduled for Tuesday morning.
