The mum of Christopher McBurnie says the guilty verdict of her son’s killer was ‘bittersweet’ and that nothing can bring her son back.
After a four-week trial, a jury of 12 people found that Christopher was murdered by another boy, now 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
The defendant admitted inflicting the fatal wound outside his home in Ramsey but denied murder, claiming he acted in self-defence.
Christopher died at the scene on May 29, 2025, despite desperate attempts to save him.The jury reached its verdict on Friday afternoon.
Jurors heard that Christopher and the defendant, who had never met in person before, had exchanged social media messages the previous day, during which insults and threats to kill were exchanged.
On the day of the stabbing, Christopher and another boy travelled by bus from Castletown to Ramsey. They were joined by others, and the group had grown to nine boys by the time they reached the defendant’s home.
The defendant came outside and a fight followed. Christopher suffered two stab wounds, a slash wound and a superficial defensive injury.
Posting on social media afterwards, Christopher’s mum Rebecca Parker thanked everyone who had supported the family.
She said: ‘I just want to thank everyone who has messaged me, checked in, supported us, stood by us and shown our family so much love throughout this horrific and emotional time.
‘We got the result we always believed was right, and for that I am grateful. But it is incredibly bittersweet, because we still don’t have our Christopher back. Nothing will change the fact that my beautiful boy should still be here with us.’
.jpg?width=209&height=140&crop=209:145,smart&quality=75)
Rebecca also spoke out over the way Christopher was portrayed during the trial while also revealing she has even received threatening messages herself.
‘The lies spread about Christopher, the cruelty and the horrific messages we have received have been unbearable,’ she said.
‘Some people have even sent me messages saying they wanted to :do to me what happened to my own son. I cannot put into words how sickening and cruel that is, especially when I am already grieving the loss of my beautiful boy.’
But Rebecca is determined something positive can come out of the tragedy and is determined to keep her son’s memory alive.
She said: ‘Christopher was my boy, my heart and my world. I will always stand up for him, his name and his truth, and I will never stop keeping his memory alive.
‘To everyone who has defended Christopher, offered comfort or simply checked in, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your love has carried me through moments when I could barely carry myself.
‘Justice cannot bring Christopher home, give me another hug or let me hear him say “Love ya Mum” one more time. But his name will never be forgotten. Christopher’s legacy will live on.’
The Christopher’s Legacy page, also run by Rebecca and her family, also posted shortly after the verdict thanking those involved in getting justice for the family.
Posting on social media, they say: ‘Now that the verdict has been reached, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has helped us through what has been the most terrifying, emotional and heartbreaking time of our lives.
‘First and foremost, a huge thank you to our KC, David Temkin KC, Inspector Neil Craig and all his colleagues who have worked tirelessly throughout the investigation. Thank you to our FLOs, Kate, Steph and Nikki, and to Claire from Victim Support, for the support, guidance and compassion you have shown us during this unimaginable time.
‘To the 12 members of the jury, thank you for giving your time, listening to the evidence and carrying the responsibility of reaching your verdict.
‘This has been an incredibly difficult journey for our family, and we are grateful to everyone who played their part in bringing us to this point.’
The defendant is due to be sentenced on January 12 next year after a Youth Offending report, along with psychiatric and psychological reports, have been submitted.
While murder attracts a mandatory life sentence, Deemster Graeme Cook has to determine the minimum term the boy can serve before he can be considered for parole.