Nate Burrell became one of the most memorable participants on A&E’s 60 Days In. A Marine veteran with combat experience and an interest in law enforcement, he joined Season 3 at Fulton County Jail and later extended his stay into Season 4.
His life included much more than reality television. Burrell served in the military, studied criminal justice, continued his military involvement through the Army National Guard, and hoped to build a career connected to law enforcement. He died in 2020 at the age of 33.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nathan Howard Burrell |
| Known As | Nate Burrell |
| Date of Birth | October 22, 1987 |
| Age at Death | 33 years old |
| Birthplace | Allegan, Michigan, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Military veteran, reality-TV participant |
| Known For | 60 Days In Seasons 3 and 4 |
| Military Service | U.S. Marine Corps and Army National Guard |
| Education | Criminal justice and law-enforcement studies |
| Relationship Status | Married to Jordan |
| Parents | Kelly Burrell and Tamara Goodrich Burrell |
| Social Media | Historically active on Facebook |
Who Was Nate Burrell?
Nathan Howard Burrell was born on October 22, 1987, in Allegan, Michigan. He was best known for appearing on Seasons 3 and 4 of 60 Days In, where his military background and calm approach quickly set him apart.
Burrell was the son of Kelly Burrell and Tamara Goodrich Burrell. His family included several siblings and step-siblings, and his official obituary also identified Jordan as his wife.
Early Life and Family
Burrell grew up in Michigan and remained closely connected to his family. His obituary lists his sister Chelsey Walker and brothers Garrett Burrell, Robert Holden and Connor Burrell, along with several step-siblings and extended relatives.
Family also influenced his decision to join 60 Days In. A&E reported that one of his brothers had previously faced prison time, giving Burrell a personal reason to better understand incarceration and the people living inside the criminal justice system.
Military Career
Military service was a major part of Burrell’s life. He served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps from 2006 to 2010, working in the infantry.
During that period, he completed two combat tours in Iraq. He later served for about three more years in the Marine Corps Reserve and received an honorable discharge in 2013.
His military involvement continued later in life. His obituary states that he was an active member of the U.S. Army National Guard and was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. His memorial service included full military rites conducted by the U.S. Army.
Education and Career Goals
After leaving active Marine service, Burrell focused heavily on criminal justice and law enforcement. He earned an associate degree in criminal justice and law enforcement in 2014.
He also studied law enforcement at Rasmussen College and later attended Tennessee State University, where he was studying criminal justice. Burrell reportedly hoped to work as a fish and wildlife officer in Michigan.
His interest in law enforcement helped shape his decision to participate in 60 Days In. The show offered him a chance to experience jail culture directly rather than only studying the system from the outside.
Joining 60 Days In
Burrell joined Season 3 of 60 Days In, which was filmed at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia.
The series places civilian participants inside real jails under assumed identities. Most inmates and many staff members do not know who the participants really are. The goal is to observe jail culture, security problems, drug activity and other issues from an inside perspective.
A&E described Burrell as an aspiring law-enforcement professional who wanted to understand the people he might later encounter in his career.
Nate Burrell on Season 3
Burrell became one of the more noticeable Season 3 participants because of how well he adapted to the jail environment.
His military background likely helped him handle strict routines, confined spaces and stressful situations. He also built strong relationships with inmates, something that made him especially useful to the program.
Rather than remaining distant, Burrell developed trust inside the facility and became comfortable enough in the environment to continue beyond the normal experiment.
Why He Stayed Longer
Most participants on 60 Days In were expected to remain in jail for about two months. Burrell’s experience was different.
After completing his initial stay, he was asked to continue for another 60 days because he had already established useful relationships with inmates. He accepted the extension and carried his story into Season 4.
That gave him roughly 120 days inside, making his run one of the longest and most distinctive in the show’s history.
Life After 60 Days In
Burrell did not pursue a traditional reality-TV career after leaving the show.
His obituary indicates that he continued studying criminal justice at Tennessee State University and remained involved with the Army National Guard. He had also previously worked for the Baker Company in Twentynine Palms, California.
His post-show life appears to have remained closer to military service and criminal justice than entertainment, reinforcing the idea that 60 Days In was connected to his broader career interests.
Wife and Personal Life
Burrell was married to Jordan, who is named in his official obituary. Reports published after his death also stated that the couple were expecting a son.
His final Facebook post suggested that the marriage had been going through serious difficulties. Because that message reflected Burrell’s perspective during a personal crisis, it should not be treated as a complete account of their relationship.
Burrell was also active on Facebook, and his final post received widespread attention after his death.
Legal Case Before His Death
In late October 2020, Burrell was facing serious criminal charges in Michigan.
According to Oxygen and other contemporary reports, prosecutors charged him with five felonies. Reported charges included first-degree criminal sexual conduct, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder.
He was scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment on November 9, 2020. Burrell died before that hearing took place, so the charges were never resolved through a completed criminal trial.
Nate Burrell’s Death
Burrell died on October 31, 2020, just nine days after his 33rd birthday.
His sister, Chelsey Walker, confirmed that he died by suicide in Allegan, Michigan. She described him as someone who loved his country and family and who was proud of his time on 60 Days In.
His official obituary records a memorial service held on November 15, 2020, at Hopkins Community Church, where he received full military honors.
Appearance and Public Image
During his time on television, Burrell had an athletic build, short hair, facial hair and visible tattoos. His military background and composed personality became important parts of his on-screen image.
Reliable biographical sources do not provide a dependable height or well-supported net-worth estimate. His documented career centered on military service, education, employment and his television appearance rather than a long commercial entertainment career.
Why Nate Burrell Is Remembered
Burrell remains strongly associated with 60 Days In because of his unusually long stay and his ability to build trust inside Fulton County Jail.
His story also stood out because he entered the program with a clear purpose. He was a combat veteran studying criminal justice and wanted a deeper understanding of incarcerated people before moving further into law enforcement.
His later death gave his story a tragic ending, but his public legacy remains closely tied to his Marine service, criminal-justice ambitions and distinctive 120-day experience on 60 Days In.
Final Thoughts
Nate Burrell’s life combined military service, education, family, law-enforcement ambitions and reality television in an unusual way.
He served two combat tours in Iraq, continued his criminal-justice studies, appeared across two seasons of 60 Days In, and later served in the Army National Guard. His death at 33 ended a complicated life that included both meaningful achievements and unresolved personal and legal difficulties.
For viewers who remember Seasons 3 and 4, Burrell remains one of the show’s most recognizable participants and one of its most unusual stories.
FAQs
Who was Nate Burrell?
Nate Burrell was an American military veteran and reality-TV participant best known for appearing on Seasons 3 and 4 of A&E’s 60 Days In. He also studied criminal justice and had ambitions related to law enforcement.
Was Nate Burrell really a Marine?
Yes. Burrell served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2006 to 2010 and completed two combat tours in Iraq. He later served in the Marine Corps Reserve before receiving an honorable discharge in 2013.
How long was Nate Burrell on 60 Days In?
Burrell completed the original 60-day experiment and then agreed to remain inside for roughly another 60 days. His extended stay became one of the most distinctive runs in the show’s history.
Was Nate Burrell married?
Yes. Nate Burrell was married to Jordan. Reports published around the time of his death also stated that the couple were expecting a son.
What happened to Nate Burrell?
Nate Burrell died on October 31, 2020, at the age of 33 in Allegan, Michigan. His sister confirmed that he died by suicide.
