MANCHESTER — A nearly decade-old missing person case has turned into a murder investigation after human remains discovered in Leslie County were identified as Cecil Burkhart, who disappeared in July 2016.
Kentucky State Police arrested Jonathon Hacker, 41, of Bear Branch, Friday morning at the Office of Probation and Parole. Hacker is charged with murder, kidnapping resulting in the victim's death, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence.
Burkhart was reported missing on July 10, 2016, and was last known to have been in the Oneida area.
According to an arrest warrant, Kentucky State Police Post 11 detectives received numerous tips in August 2026 concerning Burkhart's disappearance. During the investigation, detectives located human remains in Leslie County that authorities said were confirmed to be those of Burkhart.
Following an autopsy, the preliminary manner of death was determined to be homicide, according to the warrant.
The allegations contained in the warrant provide new details about what investigators believe happened to Burkhart.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Timothy Ryan Moore wrote in the warrant that investigators corroborated information through multiple witnesses alleging Hacker kidnapped Burkhart, tied him up and restrained him for the purpose of causing bodily injury and terrorizing him.
Investigators allege that after Burkhart had been restrained for a period of time, Hacker shot and killed him.
The warrant further alleges that Hacker disposed of Burkhart's body by placing it in a well on Bear Branch Road in Leslie County.
Sources close to the investigation previously told The Enterprise that bones had been discovered in a well on property associated with Hacker's family. Burkhart's family had DNA on file, allowing investigators to compare the remains. The warrant now states that the human remains were confirmed to be Burkhart's.
Hacker was arrested by Kentucky State Police Trooper Don Trosper and lodged in the Clay County Detention Center.
Court documents indicate the criminal case will proceed in Leslie County.
The arrest marks a major development in a case that had remained unresolved for approximately 10 years.
The charges against Hacker are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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