On Friday, June 3, 2022, North Carolina father Joshua Lee Burgess was sentenced to death for raping, torturing, and killing his 15-year-old daughter in 2019. The verdict was announced by Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey.
According to WSOC-TV, Zaria Burgess was visiting her father for the weekend at his Wesley Chapel home when he strangled her before slicing her throat.
Burgess tormented his daughter “psychologically and sexually” for 22 hours before killing her, according to the Union County District Attorney’s Office. Following the incident, Burgess went to the sheriff’s office to confess to the murder and turn himself in. He also told deputies where her body was located.
“Burgess was convicted of one count of statutory rape, three counts of a statutory sex offense, and one count of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, in addition to one count of first-degree murder,” the statement said, adding that Burgess “received an additional minimum of nearly 76 years in prison for those offenses.”
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During his confession, Burgess stated several reasons for killing his daughter. However, Union County Sheriff’s Office detectives believe the guilty man was motivated primarily by desire and control, according to PEOPLE.
“The defendant, in this case, Joshua Burgess, is the essence of evil and snatched Zaria from her friends, family, and the local community.” Sheriff Eddie Cathey said concerning the death. “While we know Zaria will always be with us, we hope that today’s verdict brings some closure to Zaria’s family and friends, and we will continue to pray for them every day.”
Zaria was a high school sophomore who was a member of her school’s marching band and dance squad, according to WSOC-TV. Zaria’s cousin, Dytaysha Wadsworth, stated in the aftermath of her death that the deceased victim “was so young, and nobody deserves to leave this world like that.”
“Especially by someone they thought would protect them and be there for them,” Wadsworth added.