On a quiet street in Burleson, Texas, a shocking discovery has left neighbors reeling and authorities searching for answers. The body of Jonathan Kinman, a 26-year-old man with special needs, was found buried in the backyard of his parents’ home on White Oak Lane, setting off an investigation that has gripped the community and raised difficult questions about family, secrecy, and trust.
The story began to unravel on October 14, 2025, when Burleson police were called to the residence for a welfare check on Jonathan. According to FOX 4 News, the catalyst for the call was a confusing Facebook post from Jonathan’s mother, December Mitchell, and stepfather, Jonathan Mitchell, in which they mourned his death. A concerned friend who saw the post contacted 911, not realizing they were about to set a complex investigation in motion.
When officers arrived at the home in the 400 block of White Oak Lane, they were met with evasive and inconsistent statements from Jonathan’s mother. Burleson Police Deputy Chief Doug Sandifer told FOX 4, “The first information was she said he was taken to Huguley Hospital and pronounced there. We followed up with that and that was not correct.” The conflicting accounts immediately raised suspicions among investigators, who sensed something was amiss.
With growing unease, the Burleson police, joined by the Texas Rangers, returned the following morning with a search warrant. Their search led them to a shallow grave in the backyard, where Jonathan’s body was discovered and exhumed. The remains were promptly taken to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy, though as of this writing, the cause of death has not yet been determined.
As the investigation deepened, the facts painted a grim picture. Jonathan Kinman, who lived with his mother and stepfather, had special needs and was diagnosed with Russell Silver Syndrome—a rare genetic disorder that affects growth and development, as reported by NBC 5. Police believe Jonathan may have been deceased for one to two days before his body was found.
The response from law enforcement was swift. December and Jonathan Mitchell were arrested and charged with tampering with and fabricating physical evidence to impair a human corpse, a second-degree felony under Texas law. Both are currently being held on $250,000 bond each, and authorities have stated that additional charges could be filed pending the results of the autopsy and further investigation.
Deputy Chief Sandifer acknowledged the emotional toll the case has taken on everyone involved, stating to NBC 5, “We want to offer our condolences for the friends and family members who cared for Jonathan and came forward to report this. This was also very heartbreaking to our officers on scene and staff to handle.”
The family’s grief and determination for justice were evident in a statement shared with FOX 4: “We were horrified to hear the news about our precious Jonathan. This is a living nightmare for the Kinman family. Please know that we are in full cooperation with law enforcement and we will fight for every last ounce of truth and justice to come to light for the sake of our sweet boy.”
Despite the gravity of the discovery, Burleson police emphasized that at no point did they believe there was any threat to the broader community. That, they explained, is why details of the case were not made public earlier. Still, the incident has left neighbors stunned and searching for answers in their own right.
Judy Harris, who lives nearby, described to FOX 4 the confusion and disbelief that swept through the neighborhood as police cars and the medical examiner’s vehicle arrived. “If it were natural causes, then they had nothing to fear. They should’ve called the police, rather than taking him into the backyard and burying him,” Harris remarked, echoing a sentiment shared by many. She added, “Never saw him. That’s the thing. No one in the neighborhood ever saw him.”
Other neighbors expressed similar astonishment at the revelation that Jonathan had been living in the home. Eric Tovar, another resident, told FOX 4, “The detectives asked me about him or if I’d ever laid eyes on him and I didn’t even know who they were talking about. They could seem like great people, but people got things going on that you don’t know of.”
Betty Noyola, who lives next door, shared with NBC 5 that the Mitchells had moved in two years earlier, but she never saw Jonathan or had any idea a special needs adult lived there. “They knew I have a special needs grandchild and they never one time mentioned they had a special needs child,” she said, highlighting the sense of isolation and secrecy that surrounded Jonathan’s life and death.
The case has also drawn attention to the challenges faced by individuals with special needs and the importance of community vigilance. Russell Silver Syndrome, Jonathan’s condition, is a rare disorder that can cause significant health and developmental issues. Yet, neighbors’ comments suggest Jonathan’s presence was almost entirely unknown, raising questions about his care and support network.
As the investigation continues, key questions remain unanswered. Police are still working to determine how and when Jonathan died, and the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to rule on the cause of death. The possibility of additional charges looms, depending on what the autopsy reveals.
For now, the Mitchells remain behind bars, and a community is left to grapple with the unsettling reality that tragedy can unfold just out of sight, even in the most seemingly ordinary neighborhoods. The story of Jonathan Kinman serves as a stark reminder that appearances can be deceiving—and that sometimes, the truth is buried much closer to home than anyone would ever expect.
