Decorated Marine Veteran Killed During Facebook Marketplace Sale Sent Final Heartbreaking Text to Family

A decorated U.S. Marine veteran who was fatally shot during a Facebook Marketplace sale gone wrong managed to send one final, devastating message to his family before he died.

Michael Ryan Burke, 42, was gunned down Sunday evening at his home in Columbia, Missouri, after arranging to sell a phone through Facebook Marketplace. In the moments after he was shot, Burke texted his mother and sister a message that would become his last words to them: “I am dying, I love you.”

The message was shared by Burke’s longtime friend, Jerry Reifeiss, who told KRCG that the text reflected exactly who Burke was as a person.

“That was just Ryan,” Reifeiss said. “He always put people in front of him and wanted to make sure people knew how he felt.”

Despite suffering life-threatening injuries, Burke also managed to call 911, calmly describing his attackers to the dispatcher while waiting for help to arrive. According to Reifeiss, Burke was determined to do everything he could — even in his final moments — to help authorities bring those responsible to justice.

“He didn’t want to leave this life without providing information that would help catch these people,” Reifeiss said. “And he wanted his family to know he loved them.”

Burke was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Friends describe Burke as a true American hero. A decorated Marine, he took part in dangerous military operations before later dedicating his life to missionary work in Uganda. He also traveled extensively and worked security details, including assignments connected to the Trump administration, according to those close to him.

Two days after the shooting, Columbia police arrested three 18-year-olds — Alexis Baumann, Kobe Aust and Joseph Crane — along with an unidentified juvenile male. All four were charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and burglary.

Crane faces additional charges of unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action, police said.

The three adult suspects are being held without bond at the Boone County Jail, while the juvenile remains in custody at the Boone County Juvenile Office.

As the investigation continues, Burke’s final words stand as a powerful reminder of his character — a man who, even while facing death, put his family and others before himself.