ELLICOTT CITY, Md. — Police have arrested a man they say is responsible for the deaths of three people, including two family members.
According to Howard County Police, 46-year-old Jeffrey Allen Burnham of Cumberland has been charged for the murder of his brother 58-year-old Brian Robinette, sister-in-law 57-year-old Kelly Sue Robinette and the killing of a woman, identified as 83-year-old Rebecca Reynolds Wednesday.
Officers found Reynolds' body in a home. She had obvious trauma and her death has been ruled a homicide by the medical examiner, Cumberland Police said. Burnham stole Reynolds's 2020 Lincoln and drove two hours to Ellicott City.
Howard County Police found the stolen Lincoln on Kerger Road and learned Burham's brother lived nearby. When they went to the brother's home, they found Burnham's brother and his wife shot to death inside.
Howard County Police said after killing the two family members, Burnham stole their 2007 red Chevrolet Corvette with a black top and tags MD/8BX5121.
Police then sent out an alert to locate Burnham who was on the run. Burnham was later spotted around 9 a.m. Friday on the side of a road in Davis, West Virginia., with the 2007 red Corvette he stole from his brother’s home after the murder.
Howard County Police said West Virginia State Police took him into custody without incident and located a gun inside the car. It still remains unclear why Burnham had pulled off the roadway.
Investigators do believe all three victims were targeted by Burnham. They said that is the only thing that connects their deaths.
Burnham is being held in West Virginia pending extradition, police said.
Neighbors said the neighborhood is relatively quiet and close-knit. Jim Perrus lives two doors down from the Robinette's. He knew the couple and their children for more than 15 years.
“Felt like they were like brothers and sisters and not just a neighbor,” Perrus said.
Perrus said the couple had older children who he watched grow up. He said they did not live in the home. He added that the community will step in for them during this difficult and devastating time.
“We'll be there to support them, anyway, we can. We're devastated, they were friends that we were very close with, hang out with, you know, see their kids grow up and something like this to happen; never thought it would happen somewhere like here,” Perrus said.
Howard County detectives are still investigating the time of the murders and the possible motive.
A student at Bladensburg High School was cut in the upper body. Another student in Annapolis was stabbed.
