It was a crime that even shocked tenured law enforcement professionals. In March, State Police were called when a body, inside a garbage bag, was found in the Genesee River. The investigation resulted in the arrest of eight people and police discovered a young man was savagely beaten inside his North Main Street apartment, dragged to a vehicle...and dumped. The story garnered 46, 800 unique views, making it the top story of 2020. Here is the original post:
BREAKING: Found body investigation in Willing leads to murder arrests UPDATED - victim beaten, tossed in river
PRESS RELEASE
On March 23, 2020 the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) from the Amity barracks, with the assistance of the Wellsville Police Department, arrested Dylan L. Coomer, 26, Brandon J. Poehmel, 21, Lawrence C. Haxton III, 34, Howard M. Burroughs, 41 and a 16-year-old juvenile all of Wellsville, NY for Murder 2nd degree (A Felony) and Manslaughter 1st degree (B Felony). Richelle L. Kyser, 28 of Wellsville, NY was arrested for Tampering with Physical Evidence (E Felony).
On March 24, 2020, the BCI also arrested Kristopher Delill, 38 for Murder 2nd degree (A Felony) and Manslaughter 1st degree (B Felony) and a 17-year-old juvenile for Assault 3rd degree.
On March 22, 2020 at 10:19 a.m., Troopers responded to the discovery of a body along the bank of the Genesee River by Jack Bridge Road in the town of Willing. The body was wrapped in a sheet and plastic garbage bags. The NYSP Forensic Identification Unit (FIU) and the BCI responded to process the crime scene. The Underwater Recovery Unit checked the Genesee River for further evidence. The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Nicholas A. Burdge, 23 of Wellsville, NY. Fingerprint and tattoo analysis aided in the identification.
Further investigation by the BCI, including area interviews and interviews with family and friends of Burdge, led to the identity of the suspects. The cause of death for Burdge was from multiple injuries that included blunt force and sharp force trauma after the suspects allegedly tied him to a chair and beat him repeatedly at a home in the village of Wellsville. Police said the suspects later took Burdge to the Genesee River to dump the body.
All the adult suspects were arraigned at Allegany County Court and the Juvenile was arraigned in Youth Court.
NYSP Forensic Identification Unit, Underwater Recovery Unit, Wellsville Police Department and the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office assisted.
