Michael C. Burham

A 34-year-old former Chautauqua County resident who was the subject of a lengthy manhunt in a homicide and kidnapping 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.

Jason Schmidt, Chautauqua County district attorney, was expected to provide an update on the case Thursday, 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.

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.

Police located the pair’s sport utility vehicle in a nearby parking lot. 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.