Police have identified the body of a murder victim that was discovered off the Saddle Road in 2003. ADVERTISING Police have identified the body of a murder victim that was discovered off the Saddle Road in 2003. Bradley Elmer Bussewitz
Police have identified the body of a murder victim that was discovered off the Saddle Road in 2003.
Bradley Elmer Bussewitz was identified using the most current biometric technology. The Next Generation Identification system, developed by the FBI, was used to identify Bussewitz through his fingerprints.
On Nov. 2, 2003, a hunter searching for a missing dog discovered the body in the vicinity of the 12-mile marker of Route 200, formerly known as Saddle Road and now known as Daniel K. Inouye Highway. Hilo Criminal Investigation Section detectives recovered the remains, which were in an advanced state of decomposition.
An autopsy conducted on the remains determined that Bussewitz died from blunt force trauma and his death was ruled a homicide.
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.
Bussewitz, who was 47, was described as Caucasian, about 6-foot-1 with a slim build. He was wearing a green aloha print shirt and a pair of brown swim trunks with red pockets.
Bussewitz was a resident of Hawaii Island believed to have previously lived on Maui. His primary modes of transportation were an early model Chevy Lumina van, color unknown, and a bicycle.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police non-emergency line at 935-3311 or to 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 $1,000.00.
