The Murder of Shannon Madill
I listened to an episode of a new podcast I found called Crime Beat, about this case. Crime Beat is narrated by crime reporter, Nancy Hix, and she talks about crimes from all over Canada. She also interviews victims, murderers and the victim’s loved ones. The case about Shannon Madill is Crime Beat’s 4th episode titled ‘Shannon Madill’s Last Audition.’ Crime Beat is my podcast recommendation for today, I enjoy it because these are all crimes that I’ve never heard about before, and there’s actual interviews and interrogations, too.
I have posted a video of the podcast episode on the bottom of this episode, otherwise you can find it anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Background
Shannon Madill
Shannon
Shannon Madill-Burgess was 25 years old when she went missing in November 2014. Shannon was described as having a stage presence and loved to be the center of attention. She was a performer, and actually quit her job to do auditions. She would perform in anything from plays, tv shows and even recorded audio books.
Shannon was also described as quirky, and very pretty. She had long red hair, green eyes and could play fifteen instruments.
Shannon captured the attention of a man named Josh Burgess. They met through mutual friends, dated and got married not too long after that. However, they had a very unconventional marriage. They had an open marriage, and they both were happy with it as long as they could make it work. Shannon’s family also took a liking to Josh, and welcomed him with open arms. Shannon’s sister, Erin, said Josh seemed to really love her sister and supported her dreams of being an actress.
Shannon and Josh
Disappearance
It was November 2014, Shannon’s family noticed Shannon was missing when she didn’t show up at a dinner she had planned with her older brother. Her friends also had told her family, especially her sister Erin, that Shannon had missed some other events, but they didn’t think much of it, until it became a reoccurring theme. Erin reported Shannon missing on December 1, 2014.
They tried to get in contact with Shannon, but her husband Josh found her cell phone at their apartment in Calgary. Shannon’s family and friends were now in panic mood because they had no way of getting in contact with her.
Shannon’s family and Josh both attended a press conference at the police station asking for help in finding Shannon, and even reaching out to Shannon if she was still alive. Shannon’s sister, Erin, was their spokes person. After this press conference, the real truth was ready to come out.
Shannon’s sister, Erin Madill
Investigation and Confession
For 7 months, Shannon’s family and friends had no idea what happened to her, until one of their own confessed to murdering Shannon.
In July 2015, the police went to Josh’s home with a search warrant for his car and phone. They also wanted to speak to Josh, but he refused to come out of the home. When he did come out, he came out in just his boxers, covered in blood. He had tried to cut his neck with a knife. The wounds were stitched up, and Josh was brought in for questioning.
Josh Burgess came home in the early morning hours of November 27, 2014, and got into a fight with Shannon.
He said he asked Shannon if they could have “angry makeup sex,” and according to him, they had sex and continued to argue. Josh said he snapped when she said she wished she’d never married him.
Josh said he put his hands over her mouth to try to keep her quiet. He said he then strangled her with his hands and finished off with his belt, while he watched TV. He then put her into a plastic bin, and made a coffin on his patio. Once the ground thawed out in the spring, Josh moved Shannon’s body to the garden and covered it with cement, sticks and branches.
When Josh was asked why he killed Shannon, he said “I just wanted her to stop talking.” He also said he chose to bury her in the yard because he didn't want her to leave.
Trial
In December 2017, Josh’s trial began. He pleaded guilty to second degree murder.
Shannon’s family all gave impact statements about Shannon, and about how Josh was not the person they thought he was. Shannon’s sister, Erin said:
Disappearance
It was November 2014, Shannon’s family noticed Shannon was missing when she didn’t show up at a dinner she had planned with her older brother. Her friends also had told her family, especially her sister Erin, that Shannon had missed some other events, but they didn’t think much of it, until it became a reoccurring theme. Erin reported Shannon missing on December 1, 2014.
They tried to get in contact with Shannon, but her husband Josh found her cell phone at their apartment. Shannon’s family and friends were now in panic mood because they had no way of getting in contact with her.
Shannon’s family and Josh both attended a press conference at the police station asking for help in finding Shannon, and even reaching out to Shannon if she was still alive. Shannon’s sister, Erin, was their spokes person. After this press conference, the real truth was ready to come out.
Investigation and Confession
For 7 months, Shannon’s family and friends had no idea what happened to her, until one of their own confessed to murdering Shannon.
In July 2015, the police went to Josh’s home with a search warrant for his car and phone. They also wanted to speak to Josh, but he refused to come out of the home. When he did come out, he came out in just his boxers, covered in blood. He had tried to cut his neck with a knife. The wounds were stitched up, and Josh was brought in for questioning.
Josh Burgess came home in the early morning hours of November 27, 2014, and got into a fight with Shannon.
He said he asked Shannon if they could have “angry makeup sex,” and according to him, they had sex and continued to argue. Josh said he snapped when she said she wished she’d never married him.
Josh said he put his hands over her mouth to try to keep her quiet. He said he then strangled her with his hands and finished off with his belt, while he watched TV. He then put her into a plastic bin, and made a coffin on his patio. Once the ground thawed out in the spring, Josh moved Shannon’s body to the garden and covered it with cement, sticks and branches.
When Josh was asked why he killed Shannon, he said “I just wanted her to stop talking.” He also said he chose to bury her in the yard because he didn't want her to leave.
Trial
In December 2017, Josh’s trial began. He pleaded guilty to second degree murder.
Shannon’s family all gave impact statements about Shannon, and about how Josh was not the person they thought he was. Shannon’s sister, Erin said:
“[He] kept us suffering for so long, intentionally keeping us in limbo,’ referring to her as her best friend.
‘Spending seven months looking for my sister was the hardest thing I have ever done. My mind would go to the darkest places wondering where she could be and what happened to her.
’When she was finally found, a whole new dark period started.’”
Shannon’s dad, David, told Josh, “I hope this is the last day I ever see you.”
Josh was sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 10 years.
FINAL THOUGHTS
THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE AFTER 1O YEARS? I don’t know much about the Canadian justice system, but that seems awfully low for a crime like this. I also don’t know if I believe Josh just snapped, especially after all his behaviors after the crime. He only seemed emotionally in the interrogation because he was caught, because before he was “searching” for Shannon, and even was seen kissing another woman while Shannon’s body was in the ground.
I hope that Josh won’t be able to get out of prison, because Shannon and her family deserve justice. I believe that Shannon’s family will be at every one of Josh’s parole hearings, and may even be able to stop him from getting out after 10 years.
Sources
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/man-killed-wife-because-wanted-13935206
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/joshua-burgess-shannon-madill-guilty-plea-1.4431581
https://calgaryherald.com/news/crime/hundreds-remember-quirky-calgary-woman-who-loved-to-perform/
