Charges: Man killed aunt, brought her body to Eastern KY and set it on fire
A Virginia man is accused of killing his aunt and bringing her body to Kentucky before lighting it on fire, according to Kentucky State Police.
On Sunday, KSP received a report of a vehicle on fire off KY 160, on Black Mountain near Lynch in Harlan County. KSP said troopers and detectives found a car off the roadway and down the mountainside.
An occupant, 44-year-old Sandra Moore, of Virginia, was found in the vehicle, according to KSP. She was declared dead on the scene by the Harlan County coroner.
Detectives determined Moore died earlier that morning during an altercation with her nephew, 29-year-old David Stoneburner. The incident happened at their home in Virginia.
After the altercation, Stoneburner drove Moore’s body to Kentucky in her own vehicle. KSP said Stoneburner moved Moore to the driver’s seat, set the vehicle on fire, and put the vehicle in motion, causing it to travel over the embankment.
David Stoneburner has been charged with first-degree arson and abuse of a corpse. KSP said additional charges will likely come as the investigation continues.
Stoneburner is being held at the Harlan County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond, according to jail records.
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This story was originally published April 21, 2025 at 2:07 PM.
