Michael C. Burham

A 34-year-old former Chautauqua County resident who was the subject of a lengthy manhunt in a homicide investigation is back in New York state.

The Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Michael Burham appeared before a federal judge Wednesday after being extradited from South Carolina. He is facing numerous local and federal charges.

It’s unclear if Burham has been assigned an attorney.

Jason Schmidt, Chautauqua County district attorney, is expected to provide an update on the case today, his office announced.

Burham had been wanted locally on charges of rape and unlawful imprisonment when he was implicated in the May 11 death of Kala Hodgkin. The 34-year-old mother of three was found dead inside her William Street home in Jamestown.

Moments after police were called to Hodgkin’s home, officers received word from another woman who said Burham tried to break into her home. When the break-in failed, Burham allegedly set her car on fire. The incident was captured on a doorbell camera and later shared by police.

At the time of Hodgkin’s death and the arson, Burham lived in Russell, Pa., though he previously resided in Chautauqua County as well.

On May 20, nine days after the homicide, police claim Burham kidnapped a man and woman from their Sheffield home in Warren County. The two were later reported missing by a relative.

According to an FBI affidavit, the Warren couple was found in a cemetery by North Charleston police officers. The woman told police that Burham had appeared in her garage in Sheffield with a revolver and drove the two to South Carolina.

According to police, the victims were able to identify Burham based on media reports “as well as conversations they had with Burham while they were being held by him against their will.”

Authorities in South Carolina located the pair’s sport utility vehicle in a parking lot near the cemetery. Located inside was a note that, in part, read, “Sorry for all the problems I caused the family. … I’m not sorry for what I did, however I do feel terrible about the children…”

The note, apparently addressed to Burham’s father, was included in the FBI affidavit attached to the criminal complaint filed May 22 in U.S. District Court in New York.

In Pennsylvania alone, Burham is facing 26 charges — two counts each of kidnapping, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment, recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats, disorderly conduct, and single counts of possessing an instrument of crime with intent, theft, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property, burglary, criminal trespass – enter structure, criminal trespass and loitering and prowling at night time.

On the federal level, he’s facing a charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

No charges tied to Hodgkin’s death have been announced.