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Posted by Master of My Universe

True Crime Friday: Mark Douglas Burns, the Clearfield Serial Killer


Mark Douglas Burns is a serial rapist and serial killer. Burns confessed to several rapes and admitted to at least three murders. He murdered women in the states of Utah and Wyoming. His reign of terror began in 1991 and continue through 2001. Since Burns’ arrest, he has confessed to other crimes. He was a long-haul truck driver, and authorities fear he may have committed rapes and murders throughout the United States.

Childhood Trauma’s Connection to Serial Killers

Childhood Trauma and Abuse is a prevalent global health concern. This abuse plays a significant role in childhood development. A child’s mental health depends upon positive parental guidance while they are taking their journey to adulthood.

Abuse is defined as physical, sexual, emotional and neglect. Several studies have linked childhood trauma with depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder. There is also an increased risk of suicide. It is thought that traumatic events occurring during childhood and adolescence may have a significant impact on essential brain functions, which may persist throughout adulthood.

Many children have been raised in dysfunctional households and unlike what conservatives have said a two-parent home does not mean that it is a functioning home. Especially, if one or both parents are abusive and neglectful of their children. Although, politicians love to boast about protecting women and children, the opposite happens. Women and children who are abused and raped are rarely believed even if there are several of them that come forth with almost the same experience with the abuser. But one man can claim a woman is promiscuous and almost every man and even some women will believe him instantly without any prove just his words are sufficient. Women and children can have proof and still be called a liar. That is some great protection.

The Victims of Mark Douglas Burns

  • Sue Ellen Gunderson Higgins
  • Unknown Victim
  • Unknown Victim

The Innocent Victim/Survivor of Mark Douglas Burns

  • Sean Higgins
  • Unknown Survivor
  • Unknown Survivor
  • Unknown Survivor
  • Unknown Survivor
  • Unknown Survivor
  • Unknown Survivor
  • Unknown Survivor
  • Unknown Survivor
  • Unknown Survivor
Since many of his victims were not named, I only found one victim that he confessed to killing. Although, there were several more that he raped and killed. Like with so many murders, the spouse is usually blamed but in this case Sean Higgins did not kill his wife but he was arrested in 2001. He was later found innocent of her murder. Usually, families and reputations are destroyed when the accused is arrested. The accused will live with the accusations their entire lives and most will have to move and start over with their lives. The case went cold before Mark Burns confessed to killing Sue Ellen Gunderson Higgins in 2005.

Lady Justice

The authorities in Utah and Wyoming worked with the TNT television show Cold Justice Sex Crimes to link the nine cases together using DNA matches. They also received assistance from genetic genealogist Dr Barbara Rae-Venter to study previously collected samples to discover a potentially familiar DNA relationship. The Evanston Police Department released a statement provided by Burns regarding the killing of Higgins during multiple interviews while in custody in Utah.

The statement reveals the department often revisited the case and reached out to other agencies for help. Mark Douglas Burns is serving his 206-230-year sentences in a prison in Utah.

References

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