Vernal Julius Virgil Kilburn IV, a 37-year-old man from Burnsville, North Carolina, tragically passed away on April 26, 2021. He was a native of El Paso, Texas, and was well-known in his community for his love of animals, golf, hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors. Kilburn was a former bull rider with the New Mexico Junior Rodeo Association and worked with Bryant and Young Lumber Company. He is survived by his son, V.J. Kilburn, his sister Heather Coley and her wife Madelene Schuchart, and his best friends Dennis and Jamie Edwards.
The circumstances surrounding Kilburn's death were shocking and heartbreaking. On the day of his death, his 12-year-old son was charged with first-degree murder. According to reports, the boy allegedly shot his father with a rifle found in their trailer home. Another boy, a relative of the family, was present at the time but was unharmed. The community was deeply affected by the tragic incident, and the school district where the boy was a student provided counselors to support students dealing with the news.
The investigation into Kilburn's death revealed that the boy had no prior disciplinary issues and was considered a good student. Authorities did not disclose any details about what might have led to the shooting, but the case was handed over to the State Bureau of Investigations. The boy was taken into custody and held at a juvenile justice facility.
The loss of Vernal Julius Virgil Kilburn IV left a profound impact on his family and the community, and the legal proceedings surrounding his death continued to unfold in the months that followed.
