On May 24, 1993, 10-year-old George “Junior” Burdynski rode his bike from his family’s home in Brentwood, Maryland, to meet a friend. He was never seen again.
Thirty-three years later, detectives with Prince George’s County Police Department’s cold case unit reinvestigated the case, and county officials announced charges Thursday in the boy’s disappearance and death.
Joseph Lynch, 61, is charged with second-degree murder, second-degree rape and second-and-third degree sex offenses in Burdynski’s case. He’s been jailed since April on charges based on other offenses discovered in the course of the 2026 investigation, officials said.
“Based on their work, two additional victims of Lynch’s were located, and subsequently charged with sexual abuse of minors in April of 2026,” Prince George’s County Police Chief George Nader said at a news conference.
One of those witness interviews led to the breakthrough in the case. The day the boy went missing, the man told detectives that Lynch ordered him to sexually assault Burdynski. During that assault, the boy was killed, police said, and Lynch allegedly helped dispose of his body.
The police chief also confirmed reports that the man, now 47, is not being charged.
“The witness was only 13 years old at the time, and had reported being sexually and physically abused by Lynch for over four years,” Nader said.
Burdynski’s sister, Virginia, also spoke.
“We’ve held on to hope for 33 years. This is not what we prayed for. This is incredibly devastating. Our hearts are shattered. We love you, Junior,” she said.
Lynch and Burdynski lived in the same community, Nader said, and the initial investigation of Burdynski’s disappearance led to the discovery of a child sex ring several blocks from the boy’s home.
Three men, including Lynch, were convicted in the case, and in 1994, Lynch was sentenced to 20 years in prison for two sex offenses involving minors, but that investigation found no evidence connecting the men to the Burdynski case.
Nader said the current investigation remains active.
“I absolutely believe there are other victims in this case,” he said, and he urged people to come forward.
“The one thing that the detectives wanted me to make sure that I articulated to anybody that’s been a victim is: You’re not alone. It’s not your fault. You have a voice. You did nothing wrong,” Nader said.
“While nothing can restore the years since Junior has been missing from the lives of family, friends, and those who loved him, we hope and pray that the work of the Prince George’s County detectives will finally bring some peace,” Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy said.
“Whether a case is one day old or decades old, we will continue to investigate, find answers, and pursue justice,” she added.
Prince George’s Co. police announce charges in 1993 missing child case 2026
IUSTITIA.BG – Investigations 2009-2026 2026-09-17 23:31:47
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