Michael and Melissa Burnett: SC couple arrested for ignoring 'tortured cries’ when nephew killed pregnant ex
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA: A South Carolina couple was arrested after a 22-year-old pregnant girl was being "bludgeoned to death" in their house by their nephew and they failed to respond to her "tortured cries." The Greenville County Sheriff's Office recognized Michael Burnett, 43, and Melissa Burnett, 49, as Tyler Wilkins' uncle and aunt on November 28.
Wilkins, 21, is suspected of fatally beating Clarissa Winchester, 22, according to The State. After Winchester and her unborn child's bodies were discovered in a residence in Greenville County just after 8 pm in the evening on November 9, Wilkins was arrested and charged with kidnapping and murder. According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by WMBF-TV, Winchester suffered fatal injuries to her head and neck after being allegedly beaten over the course of two hours by Wilkins who was revealed to be her boyfriend and the father of her child. The Burnetts “were in the house at the time of the vicious assault,” according to the sheriff's office, but “failed to act, call 911, or provide any other assistance” despite Winchester's cries for assistance.
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The disappearance of Jorden Nebling, a 19-year-old woman last seen on October 10, 2020, has drawn the attention of investigators who claimed earlier this month that Wilkins is also a suspect. Wilkins is also being accused to play a part in Nebling’s disappearance by the victim’s stepmother. According to sheriff's office detective Blake Wolfe, Nebling was last spotted being picked up by an ex-boyfriend. The Burnetts were arrested over the weekend on suspicion of misprision of a felony but they have since been freed on $20,000 bonds, according to the sheriff's office. A spokeswoman for the sheriff's office investigation identified the Burnetts as Wilkins' aunt and uncle as reported by The State. Michael Burnett is listed as a resident of the address where police claim they discovered "Winchester's deceased body along with a lifeless fetus," according to public records.
At the time of the fatal beating, Winchester was seven months pregnant but it is still unknown if the child was stillborn or was born during the violent assault. Police said Wilkins neglected to "seek medical attention for the recently born fetus" and has been charged with criminal conduct toward a child as a result. According to a GoFundMe created by Winchester's family, the baby's planned name was Grayson Cain. Clarissa's parents, Michael, and Melinda Winchester stated that they established the fund while coping with "one of the toughest losses in [their] entire lives." A total of $7,850 has already been contributed to the fund from a goal of $5,500.