A man found dead in a chest freezer on June 26 in Minnesota appeared to have fled into the freezer to escape arrest, investigators said Friday.
Brandon Lee Buschman, 35, of Babbitt, Minnesota, was found inside the chest freezer in the basement of a residence, Gilbert City Police Chief Ty Techar said in a statement. The freezer, an older model, had a latch on the outside and could not be opened from within, once closed. The freezer was not on at the time of the discovery of Buschman’s body as the residence had no electricity since April 2022 and had been unoccupied since February 2023. (RELATED: REPORT: Maintenance Worker Finds Man Dead At Death Valley National Park In California)
Investigators revealed that Buschman, who had an active outstanding warrant for his arrest, was last seen by individuals familiar with him fleeing from the upstairs part of the residence due to a possible police presence near the residence, the statement read. Buschman reportedly entered the freezer of his own volition as a metal lawn ornament rod inserted from the inside of the freezer was found jammed between the gasket and the manufactured edge, failing to manipulate the latch from inside.
Investigative work continues so as to narrow down the timeline regarding the last time that Buschman was seen alive, Techar said in the statement.
There was no evidence of trauma or injury found during the autopsy, although final autopsy reports pertaining to toxicology will not be available for several weeks, the statement said.