Murder victim’s kidney is donated to his own grandmother

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 Posted on Fri, May. 09, 2008

Murder victim’s kidney is donated to his own grandmother

By KEVIN MURPHY
The Kansas City Star

As she grieves the murder of her son, Nancy Stinnett takes solace in knowing he prolonged the life of her mother.

A kidney from Brandon Burtin, 21, was transplanted into his grandmother, Juanita Stinnett, on Wednesday. Burtin’s liver went to a 10-year-old, his corneas to two other people and his other kidney to another person.

“I feel good and I feel blessed,” Nancy Stinnett said on her front porch in Kansas City on Friday as a houseful of friends and family visited.

Burtin was hit multiple times Monday night in a drive-by shooting as he stood at 34th Street and College Avenue near his home. With no chance of survival for Burtin on Tuesday, a family minister suggested Burtin be tested as a kidney match for his grandmother, Stinnett said.

Juanita Stinnett, 81, had been in need of a kidney since September and was on dialysis, her daughter said.

Burtin was placed on life support at Truman Medical Center. On Wednesday, the match confirmed, one of his kidneys was given to Juanita Stinnett at Research Medical Center. Burtin died when life support was removed Wednesday.

The family had joked about Burtin donating a kidney to his grandmother when he was alive, his mother said. She described her son as someone who cared about others.

“He was good-spirited,” Stinnett said. “Everybody liked him. He helped everybody.”

Burtin has a new son, Jayden Lee’Ron Burtin, born just two weeks ago.

Police have made no arrests in the shooting. They have not reported a motive for the killer or killers of Burtin.

“I don’t know if he knew them,” his mother said. “There were witnesses, and most of them are not talking.”

Nancy Stinnett said her mother is doing well and is deeply grateful for her grandson’s kidney.

“She feels a lot better,” Stinnett said.

Because of the kidney donation, Stinnett said she feels as though a part of her son is still with her.

To reach Kevin Murphy, call 816-234-4464 or send e-mail to kmurphy@kcstar.com