A Marion County jury on Thursday found Rakeem Thompson guilty of killing his girlfriend, 31-year-old Brittany Burns, nearly six years after she was discovered unresponsive inside a home on the 2500 block of English Avenue on Indianapolis’ near east side. The conviction caps a three-day trial and years of uncertainty for Burns’ family and nearby residents. Thompson is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on June 8.
Jurors reached the guilty verdict after hearing three days of testimony and evidence, according to WTHR. Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a statement to WTHR, "Brittany’s life was violently cut short and the defendant will now face the consequences." The outlet reports Thompson is set to be sentenced June 8 at 10 a.m. in Marion County.
How Investigators Reconstructed The Night
Investigators said Thompson called 911 on Oct. 9, 2020, reporting that he believed his girlfriend had died at their English Avenue home. Medics rushed Burns to a local hospital, where she died about 10 days later, according to WISH8TV. The Marion County coroner later ruled her death a homicide, listing the cause as "mixed modality trauma including asphyxia and blunt force injuries," per WISH8TV. Prosecutors told jurors the evidence presented at trial was enough to convict.
Neighbors And Court Records
Neighbors described to detectives a history of loud arguments, and some reported seeing Thompson hit Burns shortly before emergency crews arrived, according to details cited in court documents and local coverage. The Indianapolis Star reported in May 2024 that unsealed records and witness statements helped investigators secure an arrest the following month. Family members said the guilty verdict brought a measure of relief after years with no charges on the books.
What Comes Next
Thompson is scheduled to be formally sentenced on June 8, at 10 a.m., when a judge will decide his punishment. Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the IMPD homicide office at 317-327-3475 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477, according to WISH8TV. The case highlights how homicide investigations can stretch over years before charges finally land in a courtroom.
Burns is survived by relatives who have pressed for accountability since 2020, and the jury’s decision marks a significant step toward closure for them. Proceedings will continue in Marion County Superior Court as the sentencing date approaches.
