VALPARAISO, IN – A 19-year-old man is set to face trial this summer for allegedly strangling his mother to death after she served him an eviction notice earlier this year. Conner Kobold, now 20, is accused of killing his mother, Shanelle Burns, 43, in their shared home in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Court documents reveal that Burns, an assistant vice president at Loyola University in Chicago, had given her son an eviction notice on February 5, stipulating that he needed to clean his room, assist with household chores, and secure employment within 30 days to avoid being evicted. Two days later, on February 7, Burns was found unconscious and severely injured in their home. She was pronounced dead at a hospital later that day.
Valparaiso police responded to multiple 911 calls made by Kobold, who requested to be handcuffed and placed in the back of a squad car upon their arrival. Kobold allegedly confessed to the officers that he had killed someone inside the house. Inside, authorities discovered Burns unresponsive and suffering from significant injuries, later determined to be caused by manual strangulation.
Kobold has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated battery and murder. He initially filed a waiver to represent himself in court but was appointed a public defender in April. He remains in custody at Porter County Jail without bond and is scheduled to appear in court in August.
Shanelle Burns was remembered by her colleagues at Loyola University as a talented and strategic leader, deeply missed by her community. According to her obituary, she was also a passionate writer and self-taught classical pianist.
The case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the tragic consequences of domestic disputes and the complexities of familial relationships.