In the small city of Allegan, Michigan, the life of 33-year-old Nathan 'Nate' Howard Burrell came to a tragic end on Saturday, October 31, 2020. A former Marine who had served two tours in Iraq, Burrell was known to a wider audience for his participation in the A&E docuseries '60 Days In,' where volunteers go undercover in jails. His death, which was a public suicide, sent shockwaves through the community and among fans of the show.
On that fateful Saturday night, Burrell took his own
life by a self-inflicted gunshot in the downtown area of Allegan. The act followed a troubling post on his social media, which many interpreted as a suicide note. In the post, he expressed feelings of being 'tired' and unable to 'keep going on' due to the pain of his current situation. He also apologized to his family and friends, stating that his decision was not spontaneous.
In the days following his death, it came to light that Burrell was facing serious legal troubles. He had been charged with multiple felonies, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. An arraignment in his case had been scheduled for November 9, 2020. In his final social media post, Burrell alluded to these troubles, stating, 'This isn't an admission of guilt. I'm just tired, I've been through so much in my life, the pain of my situation now hurts more than I ever imagined.'
Born on October 22, 1987, Nathan Howard Burrell was a man of many facets. He was a United States Army National Guard member and had previously worked as a wildlife officer. His sister, Chelsey Walker, described him as a man who 'loved his country, loved his family and was a very caring guy.' She acknowledged that he was 'just in a bad place.' Burrell was also an expectant father, though he and his wife were reportedly separated at the time of his death. His obituary noted his studies in law enforcement and criminal justice, reflecting a long-held interest in the justice system that culminated in his participation in '60 Days In.'
