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Donald Wayne Burton mug shot from August 2010 (TCSO)
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Authorities in Taney County have launched a missing person investigation into the disappearance of a Forsyth man on Christmas day.

Sheriff Jimmie Russell says the parents of Donald Wayne Burton, 29, filed the report with his office on December 28th.

"We have dealt with him in the past," said Russell.  When asked if the disappearance could be drug related Russell replied, "All I'm gonna tell you is he's a missing person."

According to online court records, Burton pled guilty last year to domestic assault and was given 120 days shock time.  He has numerous drug related convictions going back to 2001.
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If you have any information on the disappearance of Burton you're asked to call the Taney County Sheriff's Office at 417-546-7250.

UPDATE:

 Sunday, January 9, 2011

Death Investigation Launched In Taney County After Missing Man Found Dead:

Donald Wayne Burton

Authorities in Taney County have launched a death investigation after a man who has been missing since Christmas was found dead this morning north of Forsyth.

Sheriff Jimmie Russell says Donald Wayne Burton, 29, of Forsyth was found on the floor of a garage next to an abandoned trailer on Julie Lane in the Venice on the Lake area.  Burton's parents reported him missing on December 28th.
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When asked last week if authorities were familiar with Burton, Russell replied, "We have dealt with him in the past." When asked if the disappearance could be drug related Russell replied, "All I'm gonna tell you is he's a missing person." 

Russell said he didn't alert the media because he didn't want to hinder the investigation.

Southwest Missouri Forensics will conduct an autopsy on Burton in Springfield on Tuesday.
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Russell says he will release more information after reviewing autopsy results.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is very sad to me as Donald and I went to high school together. I feel for his family. I hate to see his prior record posted because it seems to me that it degrades him as a person. I will be praying for Donald and his family.

Susan said...

WHAT!! HE ADMITED HE WAS GUILTY MULTIPLE TIMES!!!
Burton plead guilty last year to domestic assault and was given 120 days shock time. In 2009 he pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and was placed on 5 years probation. In 2007, Burton plead guilty to trespass and again was given probation; In 2006; 2005 and 2001, Burton pleaded guilty to drug charges and was placed on probation for each of those incidents.

"his prior record degrades him as a person."
He has degraded himself and his poor family. Criminals know what they are doing and the consequences. We all make our choices and Live, or die by them. Looks to me like he was was offered quite a few chances to straighten out and obviously could care less. As you sow so shall you reap!

Anonymous said...

I'm not trying to say anything except what does exploiting his prior criminal record have to do with the fact that he is missing?

Kathee Baird said...

I wasn't exploiting his criminal record, just showing that Burton had made several bad choices in his life.

When Sheriff Russell told me that they were very familiar with him, I looked up public information and reported it.

My hope is that he will return home safely.

If anyone knows anything about the whereabouts of Donald Wayne Burton please call the Taney County Sheriff's office at 417-546-7250.

Kathee Baird said...

I wasn't exploiting his criminal record, just showing that Burton had made several bad choices in his life.

When Sheriff Russell told me that they were very familiar with him, I looked up public information and reported it.

My hope is that he will return home safely.

If anyone knows anything about the whereabouts of Donald Wayne Burton please call the Taney County Sheriff's office at 417-546-7250.

Anonymous said...

I know that point is to show his poor choices, but why? It sounds like you are saying Donald's poor choices should lead people to think he brought this on himself because he is known by the sheriff and has a history. That's even how the other woman responded to my comment, in the statement about reaping what you sow. I'm not angry, just trying to voice my point of view. I feel the same as you, Kathee, I just hope he makes it home safe.

sunny miller said...

You're very good at quoting the bible, ie. "reap what you sow...". You should also remember the verse that states "judge not, lest you be judged". Whether he was a troubled person who made bad decisions or not, there were people who loved him and you don't have any right making their grief any worse. You don't have any authority to judge anyone unless you're looking in the mirror.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you Sunny. There was people who loved him, I did! And always will. His family will be in my prayers. *RIP* Babyboy

Anonymous said...

people that judge others should be judged themself.the fact is regardles of a persons back ground or past this is a human life that everyone is talking about.you people need to have some respect for him and his family.or maybe you need to respect your self if thats even possible.and im sure that he hasnt caused any of you any problems.so get real.but its just like the taney co. way people backstab,kick them when their dowm,well you know they all run their mouth about things they dont have any clue on what there talking about.so dont you think we all should pray for him and his family and also thank god that it aint any of our family or loved ones

Anonymous said...

i just want to say you people got the nerve to pull up some ones past wether its good or not and lable mr.Burton as a bad man. but the thing about it is we'er talking about a human life how can you say that because of his trouble whit the law gives you or anyone the right to say he more less desirves what he got.dont you people think that his family needs to listen to all crap people r saying about him dont you think we sould reach out towards the family in their time of need and help them through this. so what if he is that bad guy you are making him out to be he has to answer to god for what he has done. thats whas wrong whit taney co. people they always run their mouth about thing they know nothing about.i do know the man and im pretty sure that he hasnt done any harm to you.dont you think we all need to pray for his family . or do you think they desirve to hear all he negative things.after all that was his life that was taking. so lets not take his families life from them.dont think any one would like to have be treated this way if the table was turned.cause its all about the life of a human being just like ours we have it today just think we may not have it tomarow.so maybe if we would judge our selves befor we judge others the world might be a better place....

Anonymous said...

Maybe we should just type on and on.just making one huge sentence with periods whereever we want like now.or maybe now.but make sure we don't put any spaces or capitol letters after them.and we can just ramble and ramble about how terrible the people who judge him are.and how they are awful.which yes is in turn judging them but that's ok as long as your doing it.right?

Anonymous said...

I know this man and his family. All I can say is he was loved and will be missed by his true friends and his family. My prayers are with his mom mainly, but my prayers go out to all his family in this very difficult time. Love you always Doe

Anonymous said...

My comment is to the anonymous who has only sarcastic comments to make about people who may not be as liturate or well written as they think they are. You obviously think very highly of yourself, get over it! The answering statements were not judgements but statements of fact about what was already written. Instead of adding stupid comments, why don't you leave this site open for people who really care and are talking directly about the subject at hand. This isn't an english class.

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