Wayne County Man Arrested in Mother's Death
By: Tina Shively
Updated: December 10, 2012
We're getting a look inside the mind of a Wayne County man accused of killing his mother.
Deputies say 75-year-old Marcia Burkwit died at her home in Huron after a fight with her son Daniel.
Sometime on Cctober 20 or 21, Daniel Burkwit allegedly pushed his mother causing her to fall, break her neck, and die.
Within hours a neighbor called 9-1-1.
Deputies responded to the home on Bonnie Castle road, and found Marcia soon after.
Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts said "During the interview, Daniel Burkwit lead deputies to the body of his mother which he had placed in a wooded area, approximately one mile from their home found in a blanket and covered with leaves."
In the days that followed, Burkwit found himself in the Wayne County jail.
Chief Deputy Robert Hetzke says "He went over to the neighbors house and he trespassed and he was arrested for trespassing and harrassment."
Court documents revealed that while in jail, Burkwit's mother's death weighed heavily on his mind, so much so that he confided in a fellow inmate.
The inmate said Burkwit told him that he and his mother were arguing about Burkwit not helping out around the house.
He says Burkwit then admitted he pushed his mother down several stairs.
That he then checked her pulse and attempted CPR, but it was too late.
Prosecutors say it was likely an accident.
"We didn't charge him with murder, in that he intentionally killed her, his conduct was reckless," said Wayne County District Attorney Richard Healy. "During the altercation his conduct was reckless in that she was pushed and that caused her to fall which caused her to break her neck which caused her death."
Wayne County deputies arrested Burkwit Sunday in Syracuse, where he'd been living for some time.
Burkwit is in the Wayne County jail. He'll be back in Lyons Town Court on Friday morning.
