FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

September 12, 2025 

OKLAHOMA CITY – An Oklahoma County jury convicted Matthew Branch, 34, of multiple charges, including First-Degree Murder, for the March 2024 murder of William Burgess.

Branch was charged with First-Degree Murder, Second-Degree Arson, Third-Degree Arson, Desecration of a Human Corpse and Animal Cruelty.

On March 29, 2024, Edmond firefighters responded to a house fire on Magnolia Lane, where they discovered Burgess’s body, as well as his deceased dog, inside the home. Edmond Police detectives determined Burgess had been stabbed before the fire was set. Investigators later located Burgess’s burned truck less than a mile from Branch’s home, containing evidence of an accelerant.

Branch was arrested on April 2, 2024, following the execution of a search warrant. During an interview with detectives, he admitted to stabbing Burgess and fleeing the scene in the victim’s truck.

The jury returned their verdict yesterday convicting Branch of Murder in the Second Degree, both arson charges and Desecration of a Human Corpse. They acquitted him on the Animal Cruelty count. Jurors recommended a sentence of Life in prison for Murder 2, sentences of 25 years and 10 years for the arson convictions, and 7 years for Desecration of a Human Corpse.

Formal sentencing is scheduled for October 3, 2025.

District Attorney Vicki Behenna praised the jury’s work and the collaboration of first responders and investigators.

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