Burton Charged In Delaware With Murder Of Nicole Bennett

Matthew Burton

WMDT
DOVER, Del. - Authorities say a crime originally believed to have been committed in Maryland, has since been discovered to have been committed in Delaware, meaning new charges, and extradition, for the accused.

Delaware State Police say their homicide detectives have now charged 29-year-old Matthew Burton, of Dagsboro, in connection of the murder of Nicole Bennett. Burton had been charged by Maryland State Police in July 2012, with 1st and 2nd degree murder, and held on those charges since, while both the MSP and DSP the investigations continued. Those investigations later reportedly revealed that the crime was committed in Delaware.

Maryland dropped their charges, a fugitive warrant was filed from Delaware, and Burton will now be extradited. He will be formally charged with murder 1st degree caused death of another during commission of felony, murder 1st degree intentionally caused death of another person, and 1st degree rape, when he returns to the State.

According the reports, the body of 35-year-old Nicole Bennett, of Millsboro, was found on June 15th, 2012, on Swamp Road in Worcester County, Maryland. An autopsy revealed she had been murdered and had been asphyxiated, she was reportedly already dead when she was left on the dirt road.

Bennett had been reported missing by her husband, to Delaware State Police, she had not returned home from working late the night before, at the Bay Shore Community Church in Gumboro, Delaware. Bennett's car was still in the church parking lot, with her personal belongings still inside. The church was about six miles from where her body was found.

Troopers say Bennett and a custodian, later identified as Matthew Burton, were alone in the church the evening of June 14th, 2012. Police say during their investigations they searched and process the homes and vehicles, of both Burton and Bennett, and DNA evidence connected Burton to the crime. Burton was later arrested, and charged. 

No information has been released at this time as to when Burton will appear in court, for these new charges in Delaware.

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