San Angelo Police Take Over Burpee Death Investigation

Update Monday, May 19, 9:28 a.m.

Police Chief Tim Vasquez added details to the case Monday morning via telephone, confirming that Stephen Burpee was found in his Jeep by a couple of dirt bikers on a non-descript road out at Twin Buttes Sunday. Vasquez said the location was off the beaten path and the casual visitor to Twin Buttes would not have found it.

The body has been sent to Lubbock for autospy; the results are expected by tomorrow. There were discussions with Goodfellow Air Force Base on how to proceed, Vasquez said, however both entities mutually decided SAPD would handle the investigation.

Vasquez said they do not suspect foul play at this time, however the investigation is just beginning and all possibilities will be explored. 

Update Monday, May 19, 2014 2:00 p.m.

The San Angelo Police Department issued the following statement:

"At approximately 2:18 p.m., two motorcyclists located a vehicle in a heavily wooded area and called 911 to report they observed what they believed to be a body inside the vehicle.

"Lake Division Officers arrived on scene and located a deceased subject inside a Blue Jeep Grand Cherokee.   The San Angelo Police Criminal Investigative Division and Crime Scene Unit also responded.  SAPD detectives on scene confirmed the deceased to be Burpee.    Justice of the Peace McGuire was also called to the scene and ordered an autopsy for the deceased.

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The body of missing Staff Sergeant Stephen Burpee was found Sunday afternoon at Twin Buttes, Sheriff David Jones confirms. His body was found by officers of the San Angelo Police Department, Jones said.

Local news station KIDY reports that Burpee was found deceased in his vehicle Sunday afternoon by dirt bike riders and that the investigation has been turned over to the military.

At around 8:00 p.m. Sunday a Facebook page moderated by family and friends of Burpee updated followers of the news. "Thank you for all your support in looking and through prayer, they have found stephen burpee this afternoon," the post reads. "He has passed away. Please keep rikki and family in your prayer s!"

Burpee went missing on May 13 in San Angelo, sometime after leaving the fire training academy located near Goodfellow Air Force Base. Burpee was due to meet his wife Rikki Burpee at a local gym shortly after 6:00 p.m. for mixed martial arts training, but never showed up.

Rikki Burpee said in an interview Friday that she had been exploring all avenues in an attempt to find her husband; calling and speaking with his coworkers at GAFB and those who last saw him at the fire academy, as well as driving up and down San Angelo streets looking for his vehicle, which was also missing. 

The cause and circumstances surrounding his death have not been released, and the matter is still under investigation. Radio traffic indicated that the San Angelo Police Department was searching the lake area on Wednesday and Thursday last week, but Burpee was not found at that time.

Burpee left behind his wife Rikki and their 7-year-old son Trevor. No longer with a source of income, a gofundme site was set up last week for those wishing to make donations to Mrs. Burpee and her family. Follow this link to contribute. 

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Update -- Noon

The San Angelo Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is confirming that the body located yesterday in the Twin Buttes area is missing Army Staff Sergeant Stephen Burpee.

At approximately 2:18 p.m. Sunday, two motorcyclists located a vehicle in a heavily wooded area and called 911 to report they observed what they believed to be a body inside the vehicle.

Lake Division Officers arrived on scene and located a deceased subject inside a Blue Jeep Grand Cherokee. The San Angelo Police Criminal Investigative Division and Crime Scene Unit also responded. SAPD detectives on scene confirmed the deceased to be Burpee. Justice of the Peace McGuire was also called to the scene and ordered an autopsy for the deceased.

Burpee was transported to Lubbock, Texas for autopsy. At this time, police do not suspect foul play.