Andy Close
WARREN, Pa. – The man wanted in connection with a Jamestown homicide is now facing a lengthy list of charges in Pennsylvania after he allegedly abducted a Sheffield couple and drove them to South Carolina.
According to online court records, Michael C. Burham, 34 of Ashville, NY-who is a suspect in the homicide of Kala Hodgkin-was charged by Pennsylvania State Police through Magisterial District Justice Raymond F. Zydonik with a litany of counts, including two counts of kidnapping, two counts of aggravated assault, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, burglary, and criminal trespass. All those charges are felonies.
Burham was also charged with 16 misdemeanors, among them false imprisonment, unlawful restraint, and reckless endangerment.
North Charleston South Carolina Police issued a bulletin late Sunday night in which they confirmed that Burham had kidnapped a Pennsylvania couple and driven them to South Carolina.
In the North Charleston bulletin, police said officers were dispatched to a site in North Charleston in reference to a kidnapping. When they arrived, police said, they met with two victims.
“The victims advised they lived in Pennsylvania and were kidnapped from their house and driven to North Charleston by the suspect,” police said in the bulletin.
According to the affidavit of probable cause for the kidnapping and related charges, a family member reported Jessica and David Anundson missing to PSP-Warren at approximately 10:45 p.m. Saturday, May 20. The pair was supposed to attend their granddaughter’s soccer game at noon and failed to appear.
The Anundson’s daughter checked their Sheffield Township residence twice on Saturday afternoon and was unable to locate the pair, according to the affidavit. The daughter “related there appeared to be dirt and mud on the floor of the residence and there was partially eaten food sitting out in the residence,” the affidavit said.
The couple’s vehicle, a 2022 silver Honda CR-V, was also missing, according to police.
In the affidavit, troopers said they were contacted by South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers at approximately 6:34 a.m. on Sunday, May 21, and were told that the Anundsons had been located at a cemetery in the North Charleston area.
The victims “related that they had been kidnapped at gunpoint from their residence” by Burham, troopers allege. The affidavit states that Jessica and David identified the person who kidnapped them as Burham “based on recent media reports . . . as well as conversations they had with Burham while they were being held against their will.”
Through interviews with law enforcement, troopers said, the victims stated that “Burham encountered Jessica Anundson in the garage area of the residence at gunpoint and escorted her into the residence against her will.” The affidavit states that once inside Burham took both Jessica and David into the bedroom and “obtained clothing belonging to the victims.”
Burham then forced the victims into their vehicle and made them drive to North Charleston, according to the affidavit. Once they arrived at the cemetery where the pair was located, Burham “advised them to exit the vehicle in a cemetery and then drove away in their 2022 Honda CR-V.”
PSP-Warren troopers executed a search warrant on the Anundson’s residence Sunday afternoon where they found a pair of boots they believe to belong to Burham, the affidavit states. Troopers said the victims “believed Burham was staying on the property or nearby and had been watching the residence . . . for approximately one week.” That information also led troopers to search the property outside the residence, where they found a number of items including a tarp, camouflage clothing, and water bottles “not belonging to the victims,” the affidavit states.
North Charleston police said in the bulletin that they were assisting the FBI in the search.
Burham is considered armed and dangerous and was last seen wearing a dark baseball cap, blue jeans, and a light t-shirt. Both Jamestown and North Charleston police urge citizens not to approach him. Anyone with information is asked to call Jamestown police at 716-483-7537 or the anonymous tip line at 716-483-8477. Information can also be called to FBI TFO De Sheers at 843-513-3422.
****This story updates a story published on May 21, 2023. That story is below.****
JAMESTOWN, N.Y. – As of Sunday morning, the Jamestown Police Department was working with the Pennsylvania State Police and authorities in South Carolina in their continued search for Michael C. Burham.
Burham is wanted for questioning in the murder of Kala Hodgkin that occurred on May 11 at 125 William Street in Jamestown.
On Saturday, investigators were looking to speak with person(s) who transported Burham outside of Warren County.
Pennsylvania State Police issued a Missing Endangered Person Advisory for Jessica Anundson and David Anundson, who were driving a Silver Honda CR-V.
The Anundson’s daughter, Katie, reported them alive and safe Sunday morning in South Carolina. In a Facebook post, she said they were “alive and safe. They were taken hostage by the man from Jamestown and taken to South Carolina.”
The North Charleston area in South Carolina was an area of focus, the Jamestown PD said in its Sunday morning release.
Burham’s case received national attention Friday when he was featured on the television show “On Patrol: Live.”
The segment can be seen below.
Authorities are asking that anyone with information contact the Jamestown Police Department at 716-483-7537 or the anonymous tip line at 716-483-8477. All calls will remain confidential.
