Man Dies In Antique Chest Freezer When Hiding From Police
Episode 92, Jul 12, 2023, 10:00 AM
In an unsettling incident last month, a 34-year-old man, identified as Brandon Lee Buschman, was found deceased in an antiquated chest freezer in a vacant residence. The Gilbert Police Department attended the scene at 304 4th Ave. in Biwabik, Minnesota and noted that the freezer had a peculiar feature – an old-fashioned latching mechanism outside, making it impossible to push open from within.
Officers received the distressing report about the body on June 26 at 3:30 p.m. Upon arriving at the scene, they discovered the freezer was stowed away in the property's basement. The appliance was not connected to electricity, with the utilities in the residence having been shut off since April 2022. According to the police, the property had been unoccupied since February 2022.
The freezer was described as an older model. Its construction included a feature that, in modern times, would be deemed a safety hazard: an external latching mechanism. The design was such that once shut, the latch could not be manipulated from inside the freezer. The chilling scenario that unfolded as a result is a stark reminder of how design choices once deemed acceptable can have dire consequences.
Buschman, the victim in this case, had reportedly been on the run due to an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The specific charges that led to the warrant remain unspecified by the Gilbert Police. According to the police statement, Buschman entered the freezer on his own, likely seeking a hiding spot, spurred by the fear of possible police presence. He was last seen fleeing towards the upstairs area of the house.
Investigators at the scene found a metal rod, presumably a lawn ornament, lodged in a desperate bid to unlatch the freezer from the inside. The rod was jammed between the gasket and the edge of the freezer, making it impossible to manipulate the latch. This discovery paints a harrowing picture of Buschman's final moments, underscoring the tragic outcome of his hide-and-seek with law enforcement.
The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office undertook an autopsy and stated that no signs of trauma or injury were found on Buschman's body. Despite this preliminary observation, the final autopsy results are pending. This incident has brought forth numerous questions that only the completion of the police investigation and the final autopsy report can hope to answer.
The tragic and peculiar circumstances of Brandon Lee Buschman's death are a chilling reminder of the lengths people may go to evade the law and the unforeseen dangers lurking in the most mundane objects when fear sets in. It highlights the importance of safety considerations in everyday appliances and brings to the forefront the dire need for properties to be appropriately secured, particularly when vacant.
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Officers received the distressing report about the body on June 26 at 3:30 p.m. Upon arriving at the scene, they discovered the freezer was stowed away in the property's basement. The appliance was not connected to electricity, with the utilities in the residence having been shut off since April 2022. According to the police, the property had been unoccupied since February 2022.
The freezer was described as an older model. Its construction included a feature that, in modern times, would be deemed a safety hazard: an external latching mechanism. The design was such that once shut, the latch could not be manipulated from inside the freezer. The chilling scenario that unfolded as a result is a stark reminder of how design choices once deemed acceptable can have dire consequences.
Buschman, the victim in this case, had reportedly been on the run due to an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The specific charges that led to the warrant remain unspecified by the Gilbert Police. According to the police statement, Buschman entered the freezer on his own, likely seeking a hiding spot, spurred by the fear of possible police presence. He was last seen fleeing towards the upstairs area of the house.
Investigators at the scene found a metal rod, presumably a lawn ornament, lodged in a desperate bid to unlatch the freezer from the inside. The rod was jammed between the gasket and the edge of the freezer, making it impossible to manipulate the latch. This discovery paints a harrowing picture of Buschman's final moments, underscoring the tragic outcome of his hide-and-seek with law enforcement.
The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office undertook an autopsy and stated that no signs of trauma or injury were found on Buschman's body. Despite this preliminary observation, the final autopsy results are pending. This incident has brought forth numerous questions that only the completion of the police investigation and the final autopsy report can hope to answer.
The tragic and peculiar circumstances of Brandon Lee Buschman's death are a chilling reminder of the lengths people may go to evade the law and the unforeseen dangers lurking in the most mundane objects when fear sets in. It highlights the importance of safety considerations in everyday appliances and brings to the forefront the dire need for properties to be appropriately secured, particularly when vacant.
Want to listen to ALL our Podcasts Ad-Free? Subscribe through Apple Podcasts, and try it for 3 days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases
Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski (All Cases) –
https://audioboom.com/channels/5040505-hidden-killers-with-tony-brueski-breaking-news-commentary
True Crime Today (All Cases)-
https://audioboom.com/channels/5001260-true-crime-today-a-true-crime-podcast
Chad & Lori Daybell -
https://audioboom.com/channels/5098105-demise-of-the-daybells-the-lori-chad-daybell-story
The Murder of Ana Walshe -
https://audioboom.com/channels/5093967-finding-ana-this-disappearance-of-ana-walshe
Alex Murdaugh -
https://audioboom.com/channels/5097527-the-trial-of-alex-murdaugh
The Idaho Murders, The Case Against Bryan Kohberger -
https://audioboom.com/channels/5098223-the-idaho-murders-the-case-against-bryan-kohberger
Nurse of Death: The Lucy Letby Story -
https://audioboom.com/channels/5099406-nurse-of-death-the-lucy-letby-story
Murder in the Morning-
https://audioboom.com/channels/5078367-murder-in-the-morning-daily-true-crime-news
The Case Against Kouri Richins-
https://audioboom.com/channels/5107367-the-case-against-kouri-richins
Justice For Harmony | The Trials of Adam Montgomery-
https://audioboom.com/channels/5107366-justice-for-harmony-the-trials-of-adam-montgomery
The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury-
https://audioboom.com/channels/5109276-the-murder-of-madeline-kingsbury
The Murder of Stephen Smith-
https://audioboom.com/channels/5099407-the-murder-of-stephen-smith
Follow Tony Brueski On Twitter https://twitter.com/tonybpod