MONROE, NC. – A Monroe, North Carolina man was arrested after walking into the Union County Sheriff’s office to report that he had murdered his daughter.
On Sunday, August 18, 2019, Joshua Lee Burgess, 32, walked into the Sheriff’s office saying he was turning himself in. The dispatcher did a name search in order to identify any warrants for his arrest but he informed her that she would not find any. He let her know that he just killed someone, and he informed her where the victim was located. He also identified the victim as, Zaria Joshalyn Burgess, his 15-year-old daughter.
Joshua Lee Burgess was taken into custody. Detectives responded to the 5100 block of Hampton Meadows Road and located the victim deceased inside the home. Through investigation, it was learned that the suspect’s daughter was visiting for the weekend when the murder occurred. The scene was secured for the collection of evidence.
The cause of death is believed to be strangulation. It is also believed that Joshua Lee Burgess slit Zaria’s throat. The medical examiner believes that the force injury to her neck caused her death, police said.
Joshua Lee Burgess faces murder charges in connection with her death. In addition he is being charged with one count of Statutory Rape of a Person 15 years of age or younger, First-Degree Statutory Sex Offense, First-Degree Kidnapping, and First-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. He is being held without bail.
“The details of this murder are indescribable,” said Sheriff Eddie Cathey. Every officer and detective involved in this case is feeling the effects of what happened to this child. There is no logical answer to explain why this man did what he is accused of doing. Our hearts and prayers are with Zaria’s mom and her family.”
