PICAYUNE —
Picayune native Nathaniel Burkett, now 62, has served time in the past for murder, but could be associated with many more killings possibly making him a serial killer across multiple jurisdictions.
“The city of Picayune is a safer place with the capture of Nathaniel Burkett,” Picayune Police Chief Bryan Dawsey said, Thursday during a press conference.
Burkett was captured in Carriere by officers with the Picayune Police Department, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department on July 18. Dawsey said news about the capture was held until the lead agency, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, was ready to release the information.
“We would like to thank all agencies involved in the capture of this suspected serial killer,” Dawsey added.
The Nevada law enforcement agency was looking for Burkett because DNA evidence has linked him to two cold cases in their area. According to an Associated Press story two of those cold cases include the deaths of 22-year-old Barbara Ann Cox who was raped and strangulated in April of 1978, and 27-year-old Tina Gayle Mitchell who died the same way in February of 1994.
Dawsey also said that he hopes DNA evidence will also help the local department solve a cold case of their own, the Dec. 15, 1980 strangulation/murder of 26-year-old Linda K. Tate. According to previous Item coverage her body was found in a ditch on Weems Street. Prior to the discovery of her body she was seen arguing with a slim black man by three people at about 11 p.m. the night before.
Burkett served time in jail for the death of his mother in 1982 which occured in Picayune. According to previous Item stories Burkett threw gasoline on his mother, 55-year-old Ruby Burkett, during an argument they were having on March 20, 1982.
She was cooking at a stove at the time and the fumes from the fuel ignited, burning her and Nathaniel Burkett. Ruby Burkett was treated at a New Orleans area hospital for the severe burns, but succumbed to those injuries on April 12, 1982. Nathaniel was treated at then L.O. Crosby Hospital and released.
At the time of the assault on his mother Burkett was out on bond from charges associated with Tate’s death. While he was indicted for the incident, he was never convicted.
However Burkett did serve time for the death of his mother, Dawsey said. Burkett also has an extensive list of offenses and arrests in Clark County Nevada, including murder, kidnapping, public drunk, sexual assault, rape, and trespassing, ranging from 2003 all the way back to 1975, according to http://guardianlv.com/2012/08/potential-serial-killer-returned-to-las-vegas/.
Local News
Picayune man could be serial killer
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