Manchester man charged with murder in missing person’s death

MANCHESTER, Ky. – A Manchester man is charged with murder and kidnapping in connection with a decade-old missing person investigation.

According to the Kentucky State Police, in July of 2016, 34-year-old Cecil Burkhart of Manchester was reported missing by his brother and sister-in-law after not hearing from Burkhart for roughly two weeks.

Authorities say in August of 2026, KSP detectives received several tips regarding the disappearance of Burkhart. Through those tips and investigation, officials say they found the remains in Leslie County and sent them to the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

According to authorities, following an autopsy, it was confirmed the remains belonged to Burkhart and that the manner of death was homicide.

Authorities say further investigation led KSP detectives to seek a Leslie County District Court Warrant for 41-year-old Jonathan D. Hacker of Manchester.

Hacker was been arrested and charged with kidnapping (victim death), murder, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence.

This investigation remains ongoing.