In a quiet home in Salem, Indiana, a grim discovery was made on Sunday, June 4, 2017. The bodies of 58-year-old Danny Newlin, his 41-year-old wife Kelley Kay Newlin, and their 14-year-old son Austin Newlin were found inside their residence. An autopsy would later confirm that all three family members had died from gunshot wounds. Danny and his son Austin sustained multiple gunshot wounds, while Kelley was shot once.
The investigation quickly focused on 47-year-old Richard Lee Burton Jr.,
who had been living with the Newlin family. Evidence found at the scene implicated Burton in the triple homicide. A welfare check had been requested by an out-of-state caller who had been in communication with Burton and grew concerned for the family's safety based on their conversation. The last contact with the Newlin family was on the evening of Saturday, June 3, 2017.
The search for Burton came to an end the following Monday. He was found deceased inside his Dodge Ram truck in Monroe County, Indiana. The preliminary cause of death for Burton was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities believe Burton first killed the Newlin family before taking his own life. While a motive has not been publicly released, the investigation concluded with the death of the sole suspect.
