Defendant In Missing Long Island Girl Case Dies At Hospital In Sheriff's Custody: Spokeswoman

LONG ISLAND, NY — One of the defendants in the case of the missing Long Island girl died at the hospital while in custody of the Suffolk County Sheriff's office, said Victoria Destefano, a spokeswoman for Sheriff Errol Toulon's office.

Daniel Burke, who was charged in connection with the case, was suffered a medical issue while in custody at the jail and was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center on July 28 where he later died, according to Destefano.

She could not comment further.

Burke was set to appear in court next month.

Burke, of Bohemia, was arrested in January 2025 as investigators alleged he kidnapped the teen and held her at their homes "where she was unlikely to be found" for several days, Newsday reported.

Burke kept the teen at his home on Valley Forge Drive and had sex with her there, according to the outlet.

He pleaded not guilty to first-degree kidnapping, second-degree rape, and child endangerment, and has been remanded without bail, according to online court records.

Burke's attorney, Oscar Crisafio of Central Islip, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Patch has reached out to the Suffolk County District Attorney's office.

Editor's note: The teen's name is being withheld to protect her identity as a minor.

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