Amanda Dawn Burdette Rankin, a 35-year-old resident of Charleston, West Virginia, tragically lost her life on July 26, 2021. The incident occurred on Stockton Street in Charleston, where Burdette was found with multiple gunshot wounds.
The events leading to her death involved an altercation that took place on the enclosed porch of a residence. According to the investigation by the Charleston Police Department, Burdette and another individual, Jay Jerome Henry Jr., were sitting on the porch when they were approached by Christopher Neil Smith. The confrontation was reportedly over alleged stolen shoes, which escalated into a violent dispute. Smith, who became involved in the altercation, pulled out a firearm and shot both Burdette and Henry Jr. While Henry Jr. survived the shooting with multiple gunshot wounds, Burdette was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Christopher Neil Smith, the suspect in this case, was identified and apprehended by the authorities.
He was taken into custody on July 27, 2021, in Clendenin, a day after the shooting. Smith was subsequently charged with second-degree murder in connection with Burdette's death and attempted murder for the injuries sustained by Henry Jr..
In the legal proceedings that followed, Smith pleaded guilty to the charges in May 2022. On July 19, 2022, Kanawha Circuit Judge Carrie Webster sentenced Smith to 25 years in prison for the second-degree murder of Amanda Dawn Burdette. Additionally, Smith received a sentence of 3-15 years for the attempted murder of Jay Jerome Henry Jr., with both sentences to run concurrently.
The sentencing hearing was emotionally charged, with Burdette's sister, Raina Burdette, expressing her grief and outrage over the leniency of the sentence. She stated that Smith 'took her life' and deserved more severe punishment, emphasizing the suffering he had caused to her family.
Amanda Dawn Burdette Rankin left behind a significant number of loved ones, including her five children: Airiana N O'Connor, Isaiah N Banks, Xxavion Burdette, Shawn Burdette, and JD Burdette. She was also survived by her mother, Cynthia D Legg, her stepmother Kay Burdette, her brother Roger L Burdette Jr., her sister Raina J Burdette, and several other relatives and friends. The funeral service for Amanda Dawn Burdette Rankin was held at Elk Funeral Home on July 30, 2021, with Reverend Robbie Holmes and Reverend Rob Legg officiating the ceremony.
