Seattle Woman Admits to Father’s Brutal Murder on Election Day
Corey Lizette Burke of Seattle, Washington, has been charged with the murder of her father, Timothy Burke, 67, in a shocking incident this past Election Day involving an ice axe and strangulation, one which erupted after a disagreement over a light switch.
The fatal encounter took place in the father and daughter's shared home on Nov. 5, with Corey Burke since admitting to her actions that led to the horrific killing, as the Post Millennial reports.
According to law enforcement reports, the argument erupted after Timothy insisted that the lights remain on, sparking a tempest of emotions in Corey.
She later told investigators that she had been wrestling with emotional challenges concerning her father and had been striving to "set boundaries" within their relationship. This unresolved friction reached a lethal peak on Election Day.
Election Day Held Special Significance
Corey alleged to investigators that she felt a decisive action regarding her father "needed to happen" that day, hinting at a certain significance she attached to the date.
Despite the unforeseen nature of the assault, Corey retrieved an ice axe from upstairs and attacked her father in the basement of their residence.
As the conflict devolved, Corey reportedly tripped her father before delivering numerous blows to his body, using the sharp edges of the axe to inflict grievous injuries. Puncture wounds were confirmed to have penetrated his lung and rib cage, causing severe trauma.
Assault Escalated Beyond the Axe Attack
In addition to the brutal assault with the axe, Corey confessed to strangling Timothy until he ceased to breathe. Following the violent act, she also broke windows within their home, which drew the attention of neighbors and led to their contacting emergency services.
When police arrived at the residence at approximately 8 p.m., they encountered Corey outside the home, visibly covered in blood. At first, she denied any involvement, claiming she was unwell and requesting hospitalization, thus delaying the revelation of the circumstances behind the violence.
Corey's Confession Emerged At The Hospital
Once at the hospital, Corey admitted to the murder, expressing that she had felt overwhelmed during the heated argument. During questioning, she whispered to investigators, confirming her actions in a moment of perceived clarity about the importance of the conflict's timing.
Reflecting on her intense emotional turmoil, Corey confessed she believed her attachment to her father needed resolution. She expressed a desire to enlighten others about altering familial attachments, indicating her own challenges with focus and organization when it came to her relationship with Timothy.
Corey Expressed Remorse Over Her Actions
Despite the planned nature of her decision, Corey expressed regret, stating her belief that she had "acted too soon" and showing distress over the premature finality of her aggressive solution.
Meanwhile, officers conducted a welfare check at the residence, uncovering Timothy's body in the basement, clearly bearing marks of trauma.
The ice axe, smeared with blood, was recovered by law enforcement from the upstairs living room, serving as critical evidence of the crime.
The medical examiner formally attributed Timothy's death to blunt force trauma, puncture wounds, and asphyxiation during the criminal investigation.
Legal Proceedings And Criminal Charges
Currently detained at the King County Jail, Corey Lizette Burke faces charges of first-degree murder with her bail set at $2 million. The tragic episode underscores the volatile dynamics present in certain familial relationships and the potentially fatal consequences if left unchecked.
As investigators continue to build their case, the events within the Burke household on November 5 reflect a complex blend of psychological struggles and unresolved disputes.
The combination of these elements, amplified by external stressors such as the symbolic weight Corey placed on Election Day, resulted in a devastating family tragedy.