Brittany Snelbaker is a woman from Indianapolis who was arrested and charged with murder and arson. She was connected to the murder of 24-year-old Charles Burgess Jr., who was found dead inside a house that had caught fire. The incident took place on East Vermont Street, near Sherman Drive, on November 5, 2021. The death of Charles Burgess Jr. was later ruled a homicide due to multiple traumas.
According to court records, a friend of the suspect told police the killing took place because Burgess owed Snelbaker money for living in the home. Surveillance videos allegedly showed Snelbaker walking to her dad’s house in the same neighborhood, wearing a Halloween mask as a disguise, where she grabbed a gas can and returned to set the fire.
On July 11, 2024, Brittany Snelbaker pled guilty to one count of murder and her arson charge was dismissed. She was subsequently sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Brittany Snelbaker. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Capital District, DC. August 8, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED
Brittany Snelbaker Case Report
The timeline of events leading up to the murder of Charles Burgess Jr. is as follows:
Early November 2021: Tensions arise over a financial debt Burgess owes to Snelbaker for living in her home.
November 5, 2021: A house fire is reported at the 3600 block of E. Vermont Street. Firefighters discover the body of Charles Burgess Jr. on the basement steps after extinguishing the fire.
Post-Incident Investigation: Surveillance footage and witness testimonies point to Brittany Snelbaker as the suspect. A friend of Snelbaker’s provides information about the motive, and another witness confirms Snelbaker’s confession to the crime.
Three Weeks After the Murder: Snelbaker is arrested in connection with the murder and arson.
July 11, 2024: Brittany Snelbaker pleads guilty to the murder charge, and the arson charge is dismissed. She is sentenced to 50 years in prison, with credit for time served, resulting in 47 years in the Indiana Department of Correction and three years of home detention.
Background: Brittany Snelbaker, a 27-year-old woman from Indianapolis, was arrested and charged with the murder and arson in connection with the death of Charles Burgess Jr., a 24-year-old man. Charles Burgess Jr.'s relationship with Brittany Snelbaker was that of a tenant to a landlord. Burgess owed Snelbaker a debt for living in her home, which was cited as the motive for the murder according to the information provided during the investigation. This financial dispute between them ultimately led to the tragic events that unfolded.
Incident Details: On November 5, 2021, firefighters responded to a house fire in the 3600 block of E. Vermont Street. After extinguishing the fire, they discovered the body of Charles Burgess Jr. on the basement steps. The coroner’s investigation revealed that Burgess Jr. had been shot, stabbed, and set on fire.
Investigation and Evidence: Surveillance videos from neighbors allegedly showed Snelbaker wearing a Halloween mask as a disguise, retrieving a gas can from her father’s house in the same neighborhood, and returning to set the fire. A friend of Snelbaker informed the police that the motive for the killing was a debt Burgess owed Snelbaker for living in the home. Another witness confirmed that Snelbaker had confessed to the killing.
Legal Proceedings: Brittany Snelbaker was initially held without bond at the Marion County jail. On July 11, 2024, she pled guilty to one count of murder, and the arson charge was dismissed. She was sentenced to 50 years in prison. With credit for time served, Snelbaker is to serve 47 years in the Indiana Department of Correction, followed by three years of home detention. Additionally, she was ordered to undergo mental health and substance abuse evaluations.
Community Impact: The case has underlined the need of community involvement in crime solving. Genae Cook, an IMPD officer, underlined the need of public participation, saying that community involvement allows for some resolution for families devastated by violent crime.
Conclusion: The Brittany Snelbaker case serves as a grim reminder of the serious repercussions of violent crime, as well as the significance of community vigilance and collaboration in bringing perpetrators to justice. The sentence acknowledges the gravity of the crime and the impact it has had on the community and the victim’s family.
VIDEO: Indy woman is accused of murder and arson after man is found dead in house fire on Indy’s near east | https://youtu.be/OWJTvBhxnQI
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