The decorated Marine veteran, fatally shot during a Facebook Marketplace deal that turned deadly, still found the strength to send one final, heartbreaking message to his family in the moments before his life was cut short.
Michael Ryan Burke, 42, sent a chilling final text to his mother and sister — “I am dying. I love you.” — moments after being shot at his Missouri home, according to longtime friend Jerry Reifeiss.
“That was just Ryan. He always put people in front of him and wanted to make sure people knew how he felt,” Reifeiss told the outlet.
As he lay dying, Burke managed to send one last, devastating text to his family True Crime Trending/Facebook
Wounded in his own Columbia home on Sunday, Burke still managed to grab his phone, dial 911, and calmly describe his attackers as he fought to stay alive.
“He didn’t want to go on to the next life and pass away without providing some information to us here that would bring justice to these people and let people know he always loves them,” said his friend of two decades.
Burke was rushed to the hospital, where he ultimately lost his life to his injuries.
Reifeiss said Burke was a military hero who once carried out high-risk missions, then devoted himself to missionary work in Uganda, traveled the globe, and eventually served in a security role for the Trump administration.
Alexis Baumann has been charged with second-degree murder in Burke’s death. boonecountymo
Kobe Aust has been charged with second-degree murder in Burke’s death. boonecountymo
Joseph Crane has been charged with second-degree murder in Burke’s death. boonecountymo
Missouri residents Alexis Baumann, Kobe Aust and Joseph Crane — all 18 — along with an unidentified male juvenile were arrested two days after the shooting, facing charges that include second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and burglary, according to the Columbia Police Department.
Columbia resident Crane was hit with two more charges — unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action.
All three 18-year-olds are being held without bond at Boone County Jail, while the unidentified juvenile is confined at the Boone County Juvenile Office.
“I’m very happy the police did their job and were able to get these people very quickly, assuming these are the correct people,” Reifeiss said, praising the fast arrests.
