Aurora man convicted in 2024 murder of domestic partner

An Aurora man could face up to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder, authorities announced Thursday.

A Kane County jury found Travares O. Mitchell, 51, of the 1000 block of Sard Avenue, guilty of felony murder and a felony armed habitual criminal charge after the shooting death of 46-year-old Serhonda Burnett in January 2024.

On Jan. 13, 2024, Aurora police responded to the report of a single-vehicle crash and shots fired near Prairie Street and Woodlawn Avenue in Aurora, authorities said. The officers found Burnett alone in the front passenger’s seat, suffering from numerous gunshot wounds.

Burnett was pronounced dead a short time later at a hospital. An autopsy determined the gunshot wounds to be the cause of death.

Investigators later determined that Mitchell crashed his car into a tree, then got out of the driver’s seat and fired three shots through the window at Burnett, a recent domestic partner. He then fled on foot.

The charges were filed Feb. 21, 2024, and Mitchell was arrested March 6, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. He was then transferred to the Kane County jail.

Mitchell’s next court appearance for post-trial motions and sentencing is set for Jan. 30. He faces 20 to 60 years in prison for the first-degree murder conviction, with an additional 25 years to life mandatory add-on sentence because prosecutors proved Mitchell personally discharged the firearm used in the murder.

He also faces six to 30 years for the armed habitual criminal conviction.

Mitchell remains in custody at the Kane County jail.