According to police, a Florida man charged with murder had 12 pages of handwritten, extensive notes detailing plans to kidnap a 72-year-old woman, force her to give him her financial information, and then murder her.
Cops recovered the document and released it to media outlets, including Law&Crime, as part of their investigation into Jessie Kirk’s death in Titusville in March. David Barber, 35, is facing numerous charges, including first-degree murder, burglary, kidnapping, grand theft auto, and abuse of a corpse.
Barber, who used to date Kirk’s niece, allegedly devised a step-by-step plan on a legal pad that included supplies to purchase and information to obtain from the victim after kidnapping her. A costume, gloves, gag, tape, and bleach were reportedly among the supplies. He also allegedly wrote a “gather list,” which included tools, cameras, restraints, and guns.
There was also a detailed “timeline.”
“Finalize plans, clean the room,” Barber allegedly wrote. “Pack your clothes. Plan your route. Print the rental agreement.
He allegedly intended to “strike at 5.”
“Park across the street, observe, and dress in disguise,” the plan states. “At 5 move across the street and go in.”
Barber allegedly planned to attack with a gun, duct tape, and handcuffs.
“Get entry information before gagging (garage, gate, and door),” the document stated. “Find out who will miss her and when.”
Prosecutors claim the document reveals that the motive for the murder was financial gain.
“If possible, access finances, request a credit line increase, and apply for new cards,” Barber allegedly wrote.
Barber also allegedly stated that he intended to steal jewelry and “anything else small and valuable.” He intended to “withdraw cash and make large purchases,” according to the document.
Finally, though: “When leaving after sweeping house after bleaching, place K’s fingerprint on toilet lid.”
The plan mentions “K” several times but does not provide a full name. According to records, Barber’s ex-girlfriend—Kirk’s niece—has a name that begins with a K. Barber also allegedly asked Kirk when she last spoke with her niece and reviewed their text conversations.
Last week, prosecutors announced their intention to seek the death penalty for Barber.
As previously reported by Law&Crime, cops were first notified that something was wrong with Kirk around 8:30 a.m. on March 4 when she failed to show up for a walk with friends. Kirk’s niece arrived at her aunt’s apartment complex to assist with the search and spotted Barber’s car in the parking lot. The niece had previously filed a restraining order against him, alleging that she feared he would take “her to an unsafe location and attack or kill me.”
About an hour after Kirk was reported missing, firefighters in nearby Orange County responded to a vehicle fire. Officials confirmed that the burned SUV belonged to Kirk. A witness also reported seeing a man walk away from the burning vehicle while holding his arm, according to the probable cause arrest affidavit.
Then, around 12:20 p.m. the same day, cops noticed Barber “loitering” across the street from Kirk’s condominium complex. He “appeared to be attempting to avoid law enforcement,” according to the affidavit. He also had new burns on his right arm. After officers confronted him, Barber was unable to provide a valid reason for his presence in the area. When officers asked why he appeared to be avoiding them, he allegedly replied, “I don’t feel I should answer that at this time.”
Witnesses and street cameras identified Barber in Kirk’s SUV, and police arrested him for grand theft auto, loitering, and prowling.
Officials then received a call around 2:45 p.m. on March 4, six hours after Kirk’s reported disappearance, informing them of the discovery of burned human remains. A medical examiner positively identified Kirk’s body. Prosecutors later charged Barber with murder and other charges.
Kirk was highly respected in her community. She received the Navy League’s “Humanitarian of the Year” award and has served on the board of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Brevard since 2008.
“Her commitment was to help children overcome the trauma of abuse and embark on a path of healing and hope for a better future. “She was a vibrant, caring, and generous woman,” the center wrote in a Facebook tribute.
Barber served as a corrections deputy for the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office from 2018 to 2022. Records show that he left on his own accord and had no disciplinary history.
He was arrested in December for allegedly attempting to break into Kirk’s niece’s former apartment, according to records. That case is still ongoing. Court records show that the alleged restraining order for stalking is still pending.