Florida woman identified as victim in 2007 cold case

Photo by Sarasota County Sheriff's Office

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) has identified the skeletal remains of a female that were found in 2007 in Sarasota County. Today, the sheriff’s office is seeking information from anyone familiar with the victim, Jeana Burrus, or her husband, James Burrus, a recent release says.

According to the August 2 release, the skeletal remains of a female were found in a shallow grave in a wooded area of Ashton Ct. in Sarasota on February 6, 2007. The case was considered cold until November of 2022 when the SCSO and collaborator DNA Lab International Inc. were able to utilize current technological advancements in DNA testing and genetic genealogy to positively identify the victim.

Identified as Jeana Lynn Burrus, the victim was determined to be 39 years old at the time of her passing. She was said to live in the 6200 block of Pauline Avenue in Sarasota with her husband and son, James Burrus Jr.

While Jeana was said to be unemployed, her husband worked at a local body shop located in the 5600 block of Sarah Avenue in Sarasota. Her son was a student at Gulf Gate Elementary School between 2005 and 2006.

Investigations into the death of Jeana were further complicated at the time her remains were discovered as she was never reported missing by her family, and her whereabouts had not been questioned. The Burrus family lived in Citrus County, Florida, as well as Frederick, Maryland before making the decision to relocate to Sarasota County.
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The SCSO is asking anyone who may have known either Jeana or James Burrus or has information regarding her death to contact SCSO Detective Brian Ng at 941-861-4900.
Article by Rachael Volpe