In a tragic event that unfolded in Salem, Indiana, 14-year-old Austin Newlin, a male, was found deceased on Sunday, June 4, 2017, in his family's home. Austin was discovered alongside his parents, 58-year-old Danny G. Newlin and 41-year-old Kelley Kay Newlin. The family resided on South Beck's Mill Road, east of Salem. Austin was a freshman at West Washington High School at the time of his death.
Authorities were alerted to the potential danger at the Newlin residence after an
acquaintance of a man living with the family contacted the police with concerns. Upon their arrival for a welfare check at approximately 4:00 PM, officers discovered the bodies. The preliminary cause of death for Austin and his parents was determined to be gunshot wounds. Autopsy results later confirmed that Austin and his father died from multiple gunshot wounds, while his mother had been shot once.
The primary suspect in the triple homicide was identified as 47-year-old Richard Lee Burton Jr., who had been residing with the Newlin family. Evidence found at the scene pointed to his involvement in the killings. The investigation into the deaths took a turn the following day when Burton was found deceased in his pickup truck at the Blackwell Horse Camp in Monroe County. His death was the result of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. With the death of the sole suspect, the investigation into the Newlin family's tragic deaths concluded.
