The husband of a Florida woman who vanished more than 16 years ago but was never reported missing is a person of interest in the case, according to a Tampa Bay television station.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, investigators with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office announced earlier this week that they had identified skeletal remains found in February 2007.
Technological advancements in DNA testing and genetic genealogy helped police determine that the remains belonged to Jeana Lynn Burrus, a 39-year-old wife and mother. Analysis of the bones indicated that the death was not natural.
But even though Burrus was married and had a child at the time she died, no one in her family is believed to have reported her missing.
Authorities now say that Burrus’ husband, James, is a person of interest in her death.
“They were just struggling at the time, and they had a very volatile relationship,” Sarasota County Sheriff’s Lt. Mark Lefebvre told Fox 13.
The remains were found in a wooded area about three miles from a home that Burrus shared with her husband and son in Sarasota. In fact, police now say, the remains were located near the auto body shop where James had worked, Fox 13 reports.
Burrus and James had lived previously in Citrus County, Florida, and Frederick Maryland, before they moved to Sarasota. Their son is believed to have attended Gulf Gate Elementary between 2005 and 2006.
James is said to have abruptly left Sarasota in 2006 without his wife. He moved to California and then back to Maryland, where he presently resides, according to WWSB-TV.
While James has reportedly talked with police, investigators allege the interview was not fruitful.
“He had different versions, honestly, of what happened to their relationship, but when he sat with detectives he provided no details. He gave no information,” Lefebvre told Fox 13.
The couple’s son, James Jr., has reportedly spoken with investigators and said he was told that his mother had abandoned him, according to WWSB-TV.
A new manager at the body shop said authorities searched the facility earlier this year but did not find anything. A woman renting the home where the couple had lived also said police searched it months ago but found nothing of significance, according to WTSP-TV.
Meanwhile, Burrus’ aunt and uncle say their niece’s disappearance has been painful. In an interview with Fox 13, June Gray and her husband, Clare Wiedmaier, said they have fond memories of Burrus.
“She was a very loving, fun, warm person. She really had a lot to do with family,” Wiedmaier said.
He added: “Someone has to have been told something or know something. People just don’t disappear.”
To report information about the case, call Sarasota County Sheriff’s Detective Brian Ng at 941-861-4900.
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[Feature Photo via Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office]
