Police are seeking leads in a homicide that took place almost 13 years ago.
Police are seeking leads in a homicide that took place almost 13 years ago.
Police on Thursday released the identity of a body found Nov. 2, 2003, as Bradley Elmer Bussewitz, who was 47.
Bussewitz’s body was found by a hunter looking for a missing dog near the 12-mile marker of Highway 200, formerly known as Saddle Road, now known as Daniel K. Inouye Highway.
“The location where he was found was identified as a secondary crime scene,” Lt. Greg Esteban of the Hilo Criminal Investigation Section said. That means police think the homicide occurred elsewhere and the location where Bussewitz’s body was found was a disposal site.
Police say the remains were in an advanced state of decomposition. Bussewitz was identified by fingerprints using the most current biometric technology, developed by the FBI, called Next Generation Identification, or NGI.
“That was the biggest hurdle that we’ve overcome, identifying the guy,” Esteban said. “The investigation is now happening.”
Police put out three media releases about the body between Nov. 3 and Nov. 7, 2003, but the case apparently went cold quickly.
Bussewitz was beaten to death, according to an autopsy conducted Nov. 4, 2003, which indicated he died of multiple injuries to his body. Police on Thursday described the injuries as “blunt force trauma.”
Esteban said Bussewitz was originally from Wisconsin, traveled a great deal, usually alone, and wasn’t reported missing prior to his body being found. He also lived on Maui prior to coming to the Big Island.
“We’re trying to get more data from the family,” he said. “Although they were aware of his nomadic lifestyle, they didn’t communicate on a regular basis.”
Bussewitz was described as Caucasian, about 6 feet 1 inch tall, with a slim build. He was wearing a green aloha print shirt and a pair of brown swim trunks with red pockets.
His primary modes of transportation were an older Chevy Lumina van, color unknown, and a bicycle, police said.
Detectives are still seeking witnesses or motorists who might have seen Bussewitz hitchhiking either on Kaumana Drive or Saddle Road prior to Nov. 2, 2003.
The Nov. 7, 2003, police press release said a Caucasian man was seen hitchhiking near the 7-mile marker of Kaumana Drive, just below Country Club Estates subdivision, and noted it was unusual to see hitchhikers on the Saddle.
That release asked for information about an “Asian looking” man, about 40, 5 feet 6 inches tall, slim, with a dark complexion, who was seen near the 12-mile marker of the Saddle, apparently picking flowers, at about 10 a.m. Oct. 31, 2003.
“Individuals were questioned by the original detective, but they were not labeled as suspects, per se,” Esteban said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Derek Morimoto at 961-2380 or derek.morimoto@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer anonymity can call the Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and might be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
“We’re hoping somebody may recognize him, may have been an associate or a friend of his prior to his death,” Esteban said.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.