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The body of Jeana Lynn Burrus, a Florida mother, was found in a shallow grave in a Sarasota neighborhood in 2007. The body was identified 16 years later through advancements in genetic technology. Jeana Burrus was not reported missing by her family, and her husband’s story has changed over time. The sheriff’s office is seeking information about her death. Irene Wright reported
A perplexing case that has remained unsolved for 16 years has taken a new turn as authorities have finally identified a woman found buried in a shallow grave in Florida. Surprisingly, she was never reported missing. The discovery of the human remains occurred in February 2007 in a wooded area near a Sarasota neighborhood, as stated in a press release by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. The body was found by a teenager and was lying on its side in a three-foot hole. Lieutenant Skip Wood, from the sheriff’s office, described the location as an unusual place for a homicide, suggesting that someone had deliberately concealed the presence of the body.
In the months following the discovery, medical examiners determined that the cause of death was blunt force trauma. The victim was identified as a white woman between the ages of 30 and 40, and had been buried for at least seven months before being found. However, it wasn’t until 2022, with advancements in genetic technology, that the sheriff’s office collaborated with DNA Labs International Inc. to create a genetic profile for the body. This breakthrough led to the identification of the woman as 39-year-old Jeana Lynn Burrus.
Jeana Burrus lived in Sarasota with her husband James and their son, just a few miles from where her body was discovered. Her husband worked at a nearby body shop, and their son attended a local elementary school. The investigation into Jeana’s death has been complicated by the fact that she was never reported missing by her family and her whereabouts were not questioned. Recently, the Burrus’ former home and the body shop where James worked were searched, but no evidence related to Jeana’s death was found.
It is known that James abruptly left Sarasota and relocated to California, but later moved back to Maryland. Investigators have noted inconsistencies in James’ statements during their interviews with him. Additionally, their son revealed that he had been told his mother had abandoned the family. As a result, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is appealing to the public for any information regarding Jeana, her husband, or the circumstances surrounding her death. Any information can be reported by calling 941-861-4900.
Sarasota, located approximately 60 miles south of Tampa, continues to grapple with this baffling case..
