Man charged in 1993 death of missing 10-year-old boy who vanished while riding his bike, police say

(Gray News) - A Maryland man has been charged in the 1993 murder of a 10-year-old boy who vanished while riding his bicycle, authorities said.

Joseph Lynch, 61, was charged with second-degree murder and rape on Sept. 16, in connection with George “Junior” Burdynski’s death, according to a press release.

Burdynski was last seen on May 24, 1993, riding his bicycle in his neighborhood.

For years, detectives revisited the case and pursued new leads, according to police.

The latest breakthrough came during an investigation into separate allegations against Lynch. In May 2026, police charged Lynch with sexually abusing two teenage boys multiple times between 2007 and 2014 at a home.

Lynch remains in custody in connection with those allegations and a 2012 arson charge.

As detectives investigated the more recent allegations of sexual assault, two members of the department’s cold case unit interviewed a former neighborhood resident who was 13-years-old when Burdynski disappeared.

The now 47-year-old’s account ultimately led investigators back to the 1993 case, according to police.

During his interview with detectives, he told police that he had been inside a home with Burdynski and Lynch on the day he disappeared.

The man told detectives that Lynch allegedly directed him to sexually assault Burdynski while the three were together in the home, and that the boy was killed during the assault.

Burdynski’s remains have never been recovered, according to the department.

Police then presented the case to the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Lynch was charged with second-degree murder, second-degree rape, second-degree sex offense and third-degree sex offense. He is currently the only person charged in connection with Burdynski’s death.

The investigation into Burdynski’s disappearance also led police to Lynch and two other men.

Now, more than 33 years after Burdynski disappeared, police are also looking for information about other possible victims.

Detectives believe Lynch may have sexually assaulted additional people either during the 1990s or after his release from prison in 2006.