Relatives of man charged with murder of girlfriend arrested in connection to case

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said two people were arrested on Saturday in connection to the homicide of Clarissa Winchester.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, 43-year-old Michael Thomas Burnett and 49-year-old Melissa Michelle Burnett are the aunt and uncle of Tyler Wilkins, the man charged with murder of Winchester.

Deputies said the Burnetts were in the house at the time of the brutal attack which resulted in Winchester’s death and did not try to stop it or call 911.

According to arrest warrants, the Michael and Melissa Burnett listened to Winchester yell and beg for help for about two hours and took no action to assist her. She later died of blunt force trauma to the head and neck.

Both were arrested on Saturday, Nov. 26 and taken to the Detention Center on Misprision of a Felony charge or neglect in reporting a crime.

The pair is no longer listed as being in the detention center after being issued a $20,000 bond.

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