The story of Keianna and Ronnell Burns captivates and troubles the heart. This case, marked by its complex and emotional details, unveils a series of events that have left a lasting impact on those involved.
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#FakingIt: The Perfect Family, Ronnell and Keianna Burns
Keianna Burns, 44, and Ronnell Burns, 46, appeared to be happily married and successful social media influencers—dedicated to the Christian faith. For over twenty years, Keianna owned a prosperous hair salon, Kritique Designs Beauty & Barber Salon, in St. Louis. She was a beautiful, confident, ambitious, loving mom with a thriving business. Keianna curated her image to appear exciting online, having thousands of followers who adored her. Unfortunately, in one of her several posts, she predicted what would become her fate:
“… I just hopped on here because you have to be prepared for life changes no matter what it is that is taking place. I’m trying to encourage someone because things in your life can change for the good or the bad overnight literally. And if you don’t feel like you are a strong enough individual, some things may take you out.”
Ronnell was confident, a great speaker, and worked intermittently while attempting several failed business ventures. He was previously married with two children when he appeared on the show, “Divorce Court,” with his ex-wife, Avis. She claimed Ronnell cheated, was violent, a poor communicator, and ruined her credit. Avis alleged Ronnell left her for another woman while she was pregnant with their child. However, Ronnell was adamant Avis was a liar who kept his children from him and was having an affair with another man. As a divorcee with kids and completely bankrupt, Ronnell was determined to make money.
The Influencer Illusion: Power Couple
When the couple met, Keianna and Ronnell seemed very compatible—both driven entrepreneurs with dreams of wealth. Keianna was attracted to Ronnell’s confidence and business acumen, while Ronnell preyed on her money, beauty, and desire for a perfect family. The duo married in an extravagant wedding with choreographed dance performances, exciting music, and gourmet food.
Having eight children between them, the couple spent significant time posting their ostentatious lifestyle on social media. Their timeline was filled with videos and images of family mansions, fancy cars, expensive clothes, flashy jewelry, and lavish vacations. To the world, Keianna and Ronnell had the ideal family with growing success, but in reality, the couple argued constantly, especially over money.
On social media, Keianna portrayed herself as a perfect wife with a husband who provided for and protected the family. The Daily Mail reported, “Keinna painted a rosy picture of her life on social media, where she boasted about a new Maserati Levante, a gift from her husband.” However, she was the provider while Ronnell was essentially a hustler, working for an MLM company that operated more like a pyramid scheme—focusing on recruitment instead of sales.
Keianna claimed Ronnell purchased cars and mansions, but they were living primarily on her credit, income, and savings. Although Ronnell worked, it was Keianna’s business that funded their various failed entrepreneurial attempts—including their T.V. Show, “Meet The Burns” and the church where Ronnell ministered, “4 His Glory Ministries.”
Insta-Lies Revealed: Bankruptcy and Infidelity
The family relocated to an Atlanta suburb, leaving behind Keianna’s thriving hair salon—their primary source of income. Ronnell planned to grow his clientele in Atlanta to keep the MLM scheme going. He had a history of spending more than he made to maintain a successful image online. Renting a mansion for the family, the couple pretended to have purchased it on social media the couple. In actuality, however, their move didn’t improve their marriage or money struggles. Six months after they’d settled in their new home, things took a fatal turn for the worst.
Keianna and Ronnell were living far beyond their means, having filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The couple racked up over $500,000 of debt, liquidating around $20,000 worth of assets. Their entire social media presence was a façade. Instead of addressing their business challenges head-on, the couple chose to “Fake it ‘til you make it.” They flooded their timeline with videos and images of a happy marriage, success, and wealth while they were on the verge of losing everything, including each other.
Moving away from home and leaving her business and family behind was overwhelming for Keianna. She took to social media, describing the difficulties of moving eight children and walking away from their stability. They were alone in a new city with no friends, family, or support. Furthermore, the family was bankrupt, Ronnell was cheating, and their perfect online image began to break down. Ronnell’s behavior as Keianna’s husband gives credence to his ex-wife’s accusations. He had a pattern of ruining women’s credit, bankrupting them and cheating on them.
Atlanta Power Couple Found Dead: Nightmare in Paradise
On social media, Ronnell posted himself admitting to their marital problems but claimed the couple were working things out to avoid dividing their businesses. He emphasized the detriment to the family if they financially suffered, but based on his history he was probably more concerned about life without access to Keianna’s income
Initially, Keianna posted herself partying and enjoying life without her husband. It was alleged that she was even having an affair, which supposedly drove Ronnell to want a divorce—refusing to acknowledge his infidelities. Keianna Burns could no longer fake marital success, requesting support from her online followers:
“God knows I’ll do anything to WAKEUP from this nightmare.… And the reason I’m going live is sometimes you gotta reach out and tell people that you need love. You need support, you need care. You just need a hug. And honestly you guys, I need that. I need that right now.”
One week before the incident, Kieanna made a social media video, asking for prayers:
‘I’m asking you one thing – because I really need it right now – I need prayer, I need prayer, I need strength, I need love… Pray for me.’
The evening of the deaths, neighbors overheard Keianna and Ronnell fighting before Keianna shot Ronnell and then turned the trigger on herself. VOP News STL first reported:
The couple’s teenage daughter reported a domestic violence incident to the police on the night of the incident… She called the police away from home. When officers arrived, neighbors said they heard gunshots coming from the Burns’ house. The police entered and found the Power Couple dead.
The opulent Atlanta mansion, once a symbol of their climb to the top, stood silent. Behind the polished facade, the Burns’ carefully curated love story, meticulously crafted for social media, unraveled like a cheap threadbare tapestry. Their pursuit of an unreal perfection, a glittering mirage fueled by insecurity, became their undoing. In the end, the gunshots that echoed through the empty house weren’t just a final, desperate act, but a tragic punctuation mark on a love story built on a foundation of like-filled emptiness. Their story became a haunting echo, a stark reminder that the curated lives we present to the world can mask a hollowness that no amount of money or fame can ever fill.
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Read “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business”
“The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business” by Charles DuhiggThis book explores the science behind habit formation, providing insights into how social media can become an addictive force that shapes our behavior. It offers strategies for breaking free from unhealthy patterns and creating positive habits. This book offer valuable perspectives on how social media can influence our behavior, and contribute to a culture of “faking it till you make it.”
Read “The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains”
“The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains” by Nicholas Carr: This book examines the impact of the internet on our cognitive abilities, arguing that it can lead to a fragmented and superficial way of thinking. It explores how social media, with its constant stream of information and distractions, can contribute to this phenomenon.
FAQs
How long have Keianna and Ronnell Burns been living in Atlanta?
They had been living in Atlanta for approximately six months before the incident.
Were there any witnesses to the Murder in Atlanta?
No, there were no witnesses to the incident as the couple was alone at the time.
Did the police release a statement about the Keianna and Ronnell Burns incident?
Yes, the police released a statement confirming the murder-suicide.
