Dewanna Burt, a 36-year-old African-American woman from Raleigh, NC, was tragically found dead on January 17, 1996. Her body was discovered in a parking lot on Poole Road with a single gunshot wound to the back of the head. This incident was part of a series of murders that occurred in Raleigh in 1996, targeting African-American women in their 30s.
The investigation into Dewanna Burt's death led to the arrest of Leaman Evans, a 60-year-old man with a prior criminal record, including
assault and carrying a concealed weapon. Evans was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Burt's death. He was later convicted of the murder and sentenced to death. Authorities revealed that Dewanna Burt knew Evans, although the nature of their relationship was not disclosed.
The case was part of a larger investigation into a series of six murders that took place in Raleigh in 1996. The other victims included Patricia Ashe, Patricia Woods, Dawn Grandy, Cynthia Brown, and Deborah Elliot. While Evans was convicted for Burt's murder, the other murders remain unsolved.
The Raleigh police initially believed the killings to be the work of a serial killer, but as the investigation progressed, it became clear that multiple perpetrators were involved. John Williams Jr., a homeless drifter, was also arrested and later convicted for two of the murders, Patricia Ashe and Deborah Elliot. However, Williams was not implicated in Burt's murder.
The arrest of Leaman Evans brought some relief to Burt's family, who had been waiting for justice for years. Despite the conviction, the remaining unsolved murders continue to haunt the community, and the investigation into those cases remains open.
In summary, Dewanna Burt's death was a tragic part of a series of murders in Raleigh in 1996. The investigation led to the arrest and conviction of Leaman Evans for her murder, but the other related cases remain unresolved.
