True Crime Lecture: The Life and Crimes of David Burke

Early Life

• Name: David Augustus Burke
• Born: May 18, 1952, United Kingdom
• Family: Second of four sons to Iris and Altamonte Burke
• Migration: Family moved to Rochester, New York
• Personal Life:
  • Never married
  • Had seven children with four different women

Personality and Character

• Contradictory Descriptions:
  • Some viewed him as mercenary with a violent temper
  • Others described him as friendly and helpful

Employment History

• Early Career:
  • Began working at U.S. Air in New York
  • Worked for 14 years
• Criminal Allegations:
  • Suspected of smuggling cocaine from Jamaica (unproven)
  • Alleged involvement in a stolen car ring (unproven)

Move to Los Angeles

• Reason for Move:
  • To escape suspicion
  • To be closer to girlfriend Jacqueline Camacho
• Employment:
  • Worked as a ticketing agent at Los Angeles International Airport
• Residence:
  • Lived in Long Beach, California

Violent Incident and Job Termination

• Restraining Order:
  • Jacqueline Camacho filed a restraining order against David
• Termination:
  • Fired on November 19, 1987, for stealing $69 from the airline cocktail fund

The Fatal Incident

• Meeting with Ray Thompson:
  • Scheduled after firing to regain his job
  • Meeting was unsuccessful
• Flight 1771 Incident (December 7, 1987):
  • David purchased a one-way ticket for Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771
  • Used employee credentials to bypass security
• Sequence of Events on Flight:
  • Dropped a threatening note on Ray Thompson's lap
  • Retrieved a revolver from the bathroom
  • Shot Ray Thompson, flight attendant Deborah Neal, Captain Greg Lindemood, and First Officer James Nunn
  • Shot Los Angeles Chief Pilot Douglas Arthur
  • Plane crashed into Santa Lucia Mountains; all 43 on board perished

Investigation

• Key Findings:
  • Gun with six spent cartridges and a finger fragment matched to David
  • Note in David's handwriting found on airsickness bag
  • Gun belonged to a coworker who lent it to David
• Personal actions before the crash:
  • Goodbye message on Jacqueline's answering machine
  • Changed life insurance and will

Aftermath

• Corporate Policies Changed:
  • New policies to prevent multiple executives from traveling together
• Federal Regulations:
  • Required immediate seizure of employee credentials after termination
• Memorial:
  • Granite and bronze marker honoring the victims in Los Osos Valley Memorial Park

Additional Content

• Petty Crime Stories from Queensland, Australia:
  • Featured: Rafferty the pup, Tink the cat, and Pep the pup
• Personal Anecdote from Presenter:
  • Recalls recent emergency dental treatment

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Note: The lecture concluded with lighter content and personal stories from the presenter.