In the early evening hours of December 3, 2020, a dispute over the care of feral cats in Lexington, South Carolina, tragically escalated, leading to the death of 72-year-old Judy Dyanne Burnett. A resident of nearby Gilbert, Burnett was a woman known for her dedication to feeding and looking after the stray cat population that congregated in a wooded area behind the Town Square shopping center on West Main Street.
This compassionate mission would ultimately place her in the path of a fatal confrontation.
On that Thursday, at approximately 5:40 p.m., an argument erupted near the fence line where the cats were known to gather. The disagreement began between Burnett and a witness who was with 49-year-old Sean Eric Malahy, also of Lexington. Malahy, who was also involved in caring for the cats, became engaged in the argument with Burnett. Investigators later revealed that the two had known each other for years and had ongoing disagreements about the proper way to manage the feral cat colony, including their feeding, trapping, and release.
The verbal dispute quickly turned into a physical altercation between Malahy and Burnett. During the struggle, Malahy produced a handgun and shot Burnett in the face. When Lexington Police Department officers arrived at the scene, they found Burnett grievously wounded and immediately began to render aid until emergency medical services arrived. Despite their efforts, she succumbed to her injuries while being transported to a local hospital.
Officers found Sean Eric Malahy at the scene, still in possession of a handgun, and took him into custody. He was transported to the Lexington County Detention Center and subsequently charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. When questioned by detectives, Malahy declined to provide a statement. He was later denied bond and remained in custody while awaiting trial. The investigation into the senseless death was a collaborative effort between the Lexington Police Department, the Lexington County Sheriff's Department, and the Lexington County Coroner's Office.
