Burnet was a senior majoring in engineering, mathematics, and physics at Virginia Commonwealth University and resided in Richmond, Virginia, at the time of his disappearance. On December 26, 2011, he traveled by bus to New York City to visit friends near 139th Street and Riverside Drive. His last known communication with his parents occurred via a text message on December 28. On December 30, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Burnet texted his roommate in Virginia to discuss his plans for returning home. Later that evening, he exchanged his final known text messages with the two women he was staying with in Harlem, Manhattan. According to the women, Burnet mentioned that he was stepping out to go out for the evening. He has not been heard from since. Although he left his iPhone behind at his friends' apartment, he took his driver's license, MetroCard, and credit cards with him. While authorities do not suspect foul play in his disappearance, his loved ones remain concerned for his safety.