Former Playboy Model Sentenced to 10-25 Years in Prison for Role in Death of Child Psychiatrist Found in Trunk of Her CAR

True Crime Today | A True Crime Podcast

A former Playboy and Maxim model, Kelsey Turner, 31, is currently serving a 10 to 25-year sentence in a Nevada state prison for her involvement in the death of 71-year-old Dr. Thomas Burchard, a prominent child psychiatrist whose body was discovered in the trunk of her car near Las Vegas.
Turner, who had a tumultuous relationship with Burchard, [BURR-chard] was described as the driving force behind the tragic events that led to the doctor's death. Burchard, who had been financially supporting Turner, was killed following a heated argument. Clark County prosecutors revealed that Turner and her then-boyfriend, Jon Logan Kennison, 32, brutally beat the doctor to death before leaving his body in the trunk of Turner's car on the outskirts of Lake Mead.
Kennison, who played a significant role in the killing, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 to 45 years in prison. Diana Nicole Peña, a former roommate of the couple, was initially charged with murder but later pleaded guilty to accessory to murder, insisting she was not involved in the actual killing. Peña became a key witness in the case, providing chilling details of the crime and its aftermath.
In a re-aired episode of ABC's "20/20," Peña recounted the terrifying moments leading up to Burchard's death. She described how Turner became enraged after discovering photos and messages on Burchard's phone, which led to the fatal altercation. Peña recalled witnessing Kennison raise a bat, although she did not see him strike the doctor. She suggested that Turner encouraged the violence, a theory supported by prosecutors.
Peña also shared how she urged the couple to take the injured doctor to the hospital, but instead, he was left to die. According to Peña, Burchard, sensing his imminent demise, asked for his jacket and confided, "They're going to kill me."
Burchard's tragic end was further compounded by the discovery of his body days later, stuffed inside the trunk of Turner's blue Mercedes-Benz C300. The car, abandoned on Nevada State Route 147, was reported by a passerby who noticed it parked alone with a broken window.
Burchard was well-known for his work as a child psychiatrist, often entertaining his patients with magic tricks. He had a history of financially supporting women he met online, a habit that ultimately led to his downfall. His longtime girlfriend, Judy Earp, revealed that Burchard had spent nearly $300,000 on Turner over several years and described her as "as evil as Charles Manson."
Turner entered an Alford plea in November 2022, accepting the sentence for second-degree murder while maintaining her innocence. The plea deal ensures she will be eligible for parole after serving a minimum of 10 years.
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