On a September day in 2015, the life of 28-year-old Rebecca Leigh Gonzalez, a Hispanic female from Fayetteville, Arkansas, was tragically cut short. Concerns arose when Rebecca, known for her bright smile and joyful nature, failed to show up for her job as a Senior Solutions Specialist at Cox Communications. This out-of-character absence prompted a welfare check at her apartment on West Sycamore Street on September 11, 2015.
Upon entering the residence, Fayetteville police officers
discovered a heartbreaking scene. Rebecca and a man, later identified as 33-year-old Christopher Lee Burnette, were both found deceased inside. The investigation that followed revealed that both had died from gunshot wounds. The Arkansas State Crime Lab determined that Rebecca had been shot twice.
Further examination of the evidence led investigators to a grim conclusion. Authorities determined that Christopher Lee Burnette’s gunshot wound was self-inflicted. Based on these findings, the case was classified as a murder-suicide. Investigators believe that Burnette fatally shot Rebecca before taking his own life. Law enforcement officials stated that they considered it an isolated and tragic event and were not looking for any other suspects in connection with the deaths. Rebecca was remembered by friends and family for her kind and caring nature and was in the process of adopting a son at the time of her death.
