10 July 2023 , 13:15
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A Minnesota man found dead in a chest freezer of an empty home had been on the run from authorities and had used the vessel as a means to hide, police have revealed.
Brandon Lee Buschman, 34, was discovered in the freezer in the basement of the unoccupied home on June 26, according to the Gilbert Minnesota Police Department.
Buschman, from Babbit, had an active warrant out for his arrest and it is believed that he became stuck in the freezer after climbing into it. Witnesses confirmed with authorities that they last saw the man fleeing from the upstairs part of the home because of possible police presence in the area.
Police shared that the chest freezer was an older model, unable to be opened from the inside (Getty Images)Police shared that the chest freezer was an older model, one with a latching model on the outside of the device. When closed, the freezer is not capable of being opened from the inside.
At the time of Buschman's discovery, utilities were not on at the residence as utilities there had not been on since April 2022. No one had lived in the home since February 2023.
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A preliminary investigation found that Buschman entered the freezer on his own accord, with a metal lawn ornament rod found to have been "inserted from inside of the freezer toward the latching mechanism."
Witnesses confirmed with authorities that they last saw the man fleeing from the upstairs part of the home because of possible police presence in the area (Fox 21)"The rod was jammed between the gasket and the manufactured edge, preventing the rod from being able to manipulate the latching mechanism from the inside," police shared in the release.
When conducting the autopsy, a medical examiner determined that there was no evidence of trauma or injury. A toxicology report is to be conducted in the coming weeks.
Investigators are still working to determine when Buschman was still alive.
Utilities were not on at the residence as utilities there had not been on since April 2022. No one had lived in the home since February 2023 (Fox 21)It is currently unknown what the deceased man was wanted for.
The news of Buschman's death comes as police are still on the hunt for an escaped prisoner deemed a "survivalist" after they found "campsites" in woods.
Michael Burham, an escaped inmate in Pennsylvania, remains at large as law enforcement approaches the 72-hour mark in their search. His firearms training and family connections in neighbouring states may be aiding his evasion, it has been claimed.
Authorities describe him as a "survivalist" and have discovered evidence of small stockpiles or campsites in wooded areas near Warren County, where the escape occurred. Residents in the area are being urged to lock their doors and "remain vigilant".
Pennsylvania State Police warn residents to consider Burham "extremely dangerous" and suspect he may still be in the area. There are concerns that he may be receiving assistance from others.