Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more!
Man Accused Of Slaying Of 3, Including His Pharmacist Brother, Over Belief He Was 'Killing People With The COVID Shot'
Jeffrey Burnham is accused of killing his brother and married couple, Brian Robinette and Kelly Sue Robinette, in their Ellicott City home on Sept. 30,
A Maryland man was arrested after authorities say he targeted and killed three people, including his brother, last last month for administering COVID vaccines.
Jeffrey Burnham, 46, is accused of killing married couple Brian Robinette and Kelly Sue Robinette in their Ellicott City home on Sept. 30, according to the Baltimore Sun. Burnham alleged that his brother, a pharmacist, knowingly poisoned people by giving them the COVID vaccine, according to Howard County court documents obtained by the site.
The day before fatally shooting the couple, Burnham allegedly stabbed family friend Rebecca Reynolds to death in her home, the paper reported. Reynolds, 83, sustained a deep laceration to her throat and was found with a pillow over her face. Charging documents state there were signs of a struggle, including a broken vase; a cordless phone and cane were located near the body.
Authorities said that Burnham then stole Reynolds’ car and drove it to his brother’s home, where he killed the couple the following day in their upstairs bedroom.
“He wanted to confront Brian with the government poisoning people with COVID vaccines,” according to charging documents obtained by CBS affiliate WUSA 9. “He repeatedly stated, ‘Brian knows something.’”
The suspect's mother, Evelyn Burnham, with whom he lived, alerted the Cumberland Police Department on two occasions after her son claimed the FBI was after the two of them. Evelyn Burnham was a childhood friend of Rebecca Reynolds but grew concerned about her son’s mental stability after he started talking about “Becky’s car,” according to the Sun. She stated Burnham felt the need to confront his brother, claiming he was “killing people with the COVID shot.”
The Cumberland Police Department initiated a manhunt for Burnham, who was last seen in the Irons Mountain area. According to the Sun, authorities found Reynolds’ vehicle less than half a mile from the Robinettes’ home, but say Burnham stole his brother’s red 2007 Corvette and fled.
“I just hope they found out what went wrong in his head,” Evelyn Burnham said, according to the Baltimore Sun.
On the day of the double murder, police found Brian Robinette’s cell phone near an exit ramp near the interstate, according to the Sun. Later that day, a tipster came forward to the Maryland State Police after Burnham allegedly asked the person for gasoline. Burnham told the witness “he would see him on TV” and also told the witness that his brother was killing people with the COVID vaccine.
On Oct.1, West Virginia State Police arrested Burnham near the Billy Motel & Bar in Davis after authorities say he flagged down a firefighter and claimed he “had been forced to kill three people.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry,” Evelyn Burnham said, according to the Sun. “I lost two boys and a friend and a daughter-in-law.”
Burnham was extradited back to Maryland and charged with murder and auto theft.
“These cases were brought to a successful conclusion through the cooperation of many law enforcement agencies across several jurisdictions along with the support of a vigilant community,” the Cumberland Police Department said in a statement. “We appreciate everyone’s efforts and support.”
Burnham remains at the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. Attorney information for him was not immediately available on Monday.
