***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 14, 2020

SUSPECT IN CUSTODY FOR 2015 MURDER OF BRISTOL MAN

Media Contact: Vicki Elaine Becker (574) 296-1888

Charles David Bussard (30) of Elkhart, was arrested Thursday, February 13, 2020, for the murder of his uncle, Byron Bussard, of Bristol, in January of 2015. Although Byron was reported as a “missing person” by his brother after not being seen for several days, the case was investigated as a homicide due to suspicions noted by detectives at the time.

Charles David Bussard initially reported that he was at their shared residence with Byron Bussard on January 22, 2015, consuming alcoholic beverages, when they became involved in an argument. However, Charles David Bussard claimed that Byron was picked up by someone in a vehicle and never came back. Items of evidence collected from areas in the victim’s residence that appeared to be blood stains were submitted for analysis at the Indiana State Police Laboratory and resulted in the belief that the apparent blood had come from Byron Bussard. Multiple attempts to locate Byron Bussard in the time since January 2015 resulted in no success.

In January, 2020, Charles David Bussard contacted a detective with the ECSD advising that he wanted to provide additional information regarding Byron Bussard. Lt. Michael Carich contacted Charles David Bussard via the telephone number he provided during which time Charles David Bussard made multiple comments regarding Byron Bussard, and alluded that he knew what had happened to Byron.

On February 13, 2020, during a formal interview, Charles David Bussard provided a detailed account of his actions of shooting and killing Byron Bussard on the evening of January 22, 2015. Charles David Bussard also described the subsequent cleaning of the residence that is corroborated by evidence observed and collected by the original investigators. Finally, Charles David Bussard admitted to disposing of the body of Byron Bussard in a manner that law enforcement could not recover it.

A formal charge of Murder is expected to be filed next week, and an Initial Hearing is scheduled to be held in the Elkhart Circuit Court on Thursday, February 20, 2020, at 8:30 a.m., at which time Charles David Bussard will be advised of the formal charge, his rights, all deadlines, and future court appearance dates.

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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”