Hawaii Island cold case has experienced a major breakthrough.
Detectives 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 New 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 the Daniel K. Inouye Highway.
Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section 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 looking for witnesses or motorists who may have seen him hitchhiking either on Kaumana Drive or Saddle Road on or about Nov. 2, 2003. Bussewitz, who was 47 at the time of his death, 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 known to be a resident of Hawaii Island and is also believed to have previously lived on Maui. His primary modes of transportation were an early model Chevy Lumina van, color unknown, and a bicycle.
Police ask anyone with information about this case to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Derek Morimoto at 961-2380 or derek.morimoto@hawaiicounty.gov.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
