Investigation Underway After Mom of 2 is Found Dead with Bruises, Head Wrapped in Gauze

Authorities in New Jersey are asking for the public’s help after a woman was found dead in what investigators are now treating as a homicide.

Police were called to a home in Atlantic City on Saturday, October 11, after receiving a report of an unresponsive woman. When they arrived, they found 34-year-old Christina Burdette, who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.

An autopsy conducted by the Southern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed her death as a homicide. Officials have not yet released the cause of death.

While investigators have shared few details about what happened, Christina’s family told 6ABC that her body showed signs of trauma, including bruising and her head wrapped in gauze. “They said she looked like she was in a fight,” her sister Nicole Burdette told the outlet. She added that while the family isn’t accusing anyone, they find the situation “very sketchy.”

Christina leaves behind two young children, ages 3 and 6. The children’s father died several years ago, leaving them now without either parent. Nicole said the home where Christina’s body was found belongs to a relative of the children’s late father, but the family doesn’t know why she was there.

No arrests or suspects have been publicly identified as of Wednesday, October 15.

Loved ones remember Christina as a devoted mom who lived a quiet, gentle life. “She didn’t bother anybody. She was mainly about her children,” Nicole shared. “You would have thought, because she was so to herself and so angelic and her own little person, she would have died from old age.”

Christina’s mother and sister are now calling for justice and urging the community to help. “If it was your daughter or your son, you’d want the same help,” Nicole said. “As a community, we should all work together.”

Authorities are asking anyone with information about Christina’s whereabouts in the days or weeks leading up to her death to come forward. Tips can be submitted to:

• Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit at 609-909-7666
• ACPO.Tips website (anonymous form on the Submit a Tip page)
• Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS).

Crime Stoppers is offering cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest and indictment.