Texas Couple Arrested After Son’s Body Found in Backyard

A couple in Texas has been arrested following the discovery of their adult son, who had special needs, buried in their backyard. Investigators identified the body as 26-year-old Jonathan Kinman during a welfare check at a residence in Burleson.

According to the Burleson Police Department, Kinman’s mother, December Mitchell, and stepfather, Jonathan Mitchell, have been charged with tampering with and fabricating physical evidence related to a human corpse, which is classified as a second-degree felony. They are each being held on a $250,000 bail, and further charges may be filed depending on the outcome of the autopsy report.

On October 14, police were prompted to check on Kinman, who was living with his parents. Deputy Police Chief Doug Sandifer mentioned that a family friend raised suspicions after seeing perplexing Facebook posts from the couple that seemed to mourn Kinman’s death.

It turns out that the couple had acknowledged Kinman’s death but provided little concrete information about how he died, leading investigators to question their story. “The initial information was that she said he was taken to Hughesley Hospital and pronounced there. After following up, we learned that wasn’t true,” Sandifer explained. This conflicting information heightened suspicions.

On October 15, officers returned with Texas Rangers and found Kinman’s body buried in a shallow grave. The remains were taken to the Tarrant County Coroner’s Office for an autopsy; however, the results have not been disclosed yet, and the exact cause of death remains undetermined. It’s unclear when Kinman actually passed away.

Authorities have reassured the public that there is currently no threat to the community as the investigation unfolds.