Saturday, March 29, 2008

Blunt force trauma, stabbing caused Burns death, officer says

Clara Garcia News-Bulletin Staff Writer; cgarcia@news-bulletin.com

Meadow Lake Valencia County sheriff's detectives continue their investigation into how and why a Meadow Lake man was killed earlier this week.

On Monday, March 24, the body of 58-year-old George Burns was found in his house at 572 Meadow Lake Road by a neighbor. The victim, a disabled Vietnam veteran, was discovered after the neighbor noticed that the back door to his residence was left open.

Detective Lt. James Purdy said the autopsy revealed that Burns had died as a result of blunt force trauma and multiple stab wounds. Arrest warrants were issued Friday for two unnamed suspects.

"We're working and going forward, and the investigation is still ongoing," Purdy said. The detective said there were no signs of forced entry into Burns' home.

Burns, who received two Purple Hearts in Vietnam, lived alone, but investigators said it was common for him to invite people who were down on their luck to stay with him.

Anyone who has information about this case is asked to call Detective Lt. James Purdy at the Valencia County Sheriff's Department at 866-2400.

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