Henry Daniel Platt, with last known address of W-B, faces homicide count in March death of Kimberly Burgess.
By Edward Lewiselewis@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
WILKES-BARRE – Investigators on Tuesday charged a man with killing his girlfriend inside her Exeter residence in March because she wanted him to help pay household bills.
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Luzerne County DA Jacqueline Musto Carroll, along with state and local police, hold a press conference Tuesday to announce that arrest papers have been filed against Henry Daniel Platt, charging him with the homicide of Kimberly Burgess.
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An arrest warrant was issued for Henry Daniel Platt, 43, last known address as Davis Place, Wilkes-Barre, charging him with the homicide of Kimberly Burgess on March 20.
Burgess’ body was found wrapped in a sleeping bag with a plastic bag over her head outside her residence in the Exeter Gardens apartment complex, formerly known as Schooley Avenue apartments, on March 21, said Luzerne County District Attorney Jacqueline Musto Carroll.
Luzerne County Coroner John Corcoran said Burgess died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Musto Carroll said investigators believe Platt killed Burgess with a baseball bat that was found inside Burgess’ residence.
“Those who knew the victim and the defendant described their relationship as rocky,” Musto Carroll said. “She had asked him to leave the home many times. She had asked him to pay the bills, and he would not do that.”
Musto Carroll said investigators found physical evidence inside and outside Burgess’ residence that linked Platt to the homicide.
“Blood found on the bat was consistent with the victim’s blood, and the defendant’s DNA on the handle on the bat,” Musto Carroll said.
State police Lt. Richard Krawetz said investigators are searching locations where Platt is known to frequent, including homeless shelters and cafeterias that cater to the homeless.
After Burgess was killed, Krawetz said Platt relocated to Wilkes-Barre.
Court records indicate that Platt resided at 38 Monroe St., Wilkes-Barre, on May 14 when he was arrested by state police during an undercover drug investigation.
Platt was charged in May for arranging the sale of crack in which he pleaded guilty to criminal use of communication facility, and was sentenced in July to three to 12 months at the county correctional facility, according to court records.
Platt was released from the correctional facility in late August, and was last employed at a car wash on Scott Street, Wilkes-Barre, in August.
Musto Carroll said investigators believe Burgess was killed inside her kitchen, and her body removed from the residence.
“There was a trail of drag marks leading from the victim’s back yard through the grass to an area behind the apartment building where Kimberly lived,” Musto Carroll said. “There was a pool of blood found in front of a storage shed between her apartment and an apartment next door.”
Musto Carroll said investigators found blood spatter in the kitchen and on a rear screen door. Blood-soaked bed sheets and a pet permit were found in a Dumpster near Burgess’ residence.
“Attempts were made to clean up the blood (in the kitchen)” Musto Carroll said.
Rugs from the kitchen floor and Platt’s clothes were found in Burgess’ washing machine.
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