By TopTrendReportTv

April 1st, 2025

Sisters and Third Suspect Charged in 20-Year-Old Murder Case in Lake City

FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. — Kim Burgess and Tonya Burgess, along with Mack Hanna, have been charged in connection with the 2004 murder of Lindsay Simmons, a 19-year-old mother from Lake City. The case, which had remained unsolved for almost two decades, has taken a significant turn following new evidence, including letters from inmates and testimony about child homicide.

On March 15, 2025, Kim Burgess was granted $100,000 bond, subject to GPS monitoring and no contact with Simmons’ family. Tonya Burgess and Mack Hanna remain in custody without bond. The charges stem from an investigation that has uncovered a payment-for-murder plot involving Hanna, who allegedly paid Kim and Tonya Burgess to kill Simmons, the mother of his child, to gain full custody of their infant.

Details of the Murder:

Simmons was found stabbed to death in September 2004 at her Lake City apartment. Kim Burgess reportedly facilitated the crime by handing over a firearm to Tonya Burgess and Hanna. The murder had remained unsolved until new information came to light through letters written by two inmates who provided crucial details about the crime.

Past and New Investigations:

In addition to the murder charge, Kim Burgess now faces charges related to the 1992 death of her baby. The authorities are now investigating the possibility of homicide by child abuse in that case, after examining the pathology report. This case, originally ruled as a natural death, is being re-examined due to new forensic findings. Investigators are also looking into a second child’s death, for which charges may soon follow.

Legal Proceedings:

During the bond hearing, Kim Burgess’ attorney challenged the credibility of the inmate letters, stating they did not accurately describe the crime scene and lacked evidence of intentional harm. However, prosecutors assert that the letters provide significant corroborative evidence, along with DNA and polygraph test results, connecting the Burgesses and Hanna to the crime.

Family Reaction:

Simmons’ twin sister, Leslie Simmons, expressed frustration with how the investigation was handled initially. She claimed she had long been ignored by investigators while trying to name the suspects. The judge granted Kim Burgess a bond despite the family’s objections, and Tonya Burgess and Hanna remain incarcerated.

This case is still developing, and further investigations into the second child’s death are ongoing.