The decorated Marine veteran who was fatally gunned down during a Facebook Marketplace deal gone-wrong managed to send one last heartbreaking message to his family in his final moments before he died.

Michael Ryan Burke, 42, texted his mother and sister, “I am dying, I love you,” in the immediate aftermath of being shot at his Missouri home, long-term friend Jerry Reifeiss told KRCG.

“That was just Ryan. He always put people in front of him and wanted to make sure people knew how he felt,” Reifeiss told the outlet.
A decorated military veteran in uniform smiles while someone's arm rests on his shoulder.Burke sent a tragic final text to his family as he laid dying.True Crime Trending/Facebook
After being shot at his own Columbia home Sunday, Burke managed to pick up the phone, dial 911 and give a description of his attackers to the operator.

“He didn’t want to go on to the next life and pass away without providing some information to us here that would bring justice to these people and let people know he always loves them,” his pal of two decades said.

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Burke was rushed to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

According to Reifiess, Burke was a military hero, who performed dangerous military operations before moving into missionary work in Uganda, traveling the world and working a security gig for the Trump administration.


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Alexis Baumann was charged with second-degree murder in Bruke’s deathboonecountymo

Kobe Aust was charged with second-degree murder in Bruke’s deathboonecountymo

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Joseph Crane was charged with second-degree murder in Bruke’s deathboonecountymo

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Missouri locals, Alexis Baumann, Kobe Aust, Joseph Crane, all 18, and an unidentified male juvenile were arrested on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and burglary, two days after the shooting, according to the Columbia Police Department.

Crane, a Columbia local, was slapped with two additional charges for unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action.

The three 18-year-olds are being held without bond at the Boone County Jail, while the unnamed juvenile is in custody at the Boone County Juvenile Office.

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“I’m very happy the police did their job and were able to get these people very quickly, assuming these are the correct people,” Reifeiss said of the swift arrests.