Hunter’s body found in park

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BY JENN McDOWELL Almost five months after he disappeared into the thick forest and freshly fallen snow of Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, the remains of Russell Bussiere of Hooksett were found. “It’s huge closure,” said Michael Bussiere, son of the 70- year-old hunter who went into the woods on Dec. 2 and never came out. A family friend discovered the body on Sunday, April 27, at around 10 a.m. For the past few weeks since the snow melted, the family has organized weekend searches to comb the

woods. The father and son Bussieres were hunting in Bear Brook in separate locations, using global positioning satellite (GPS) devices and planning to meet at noon back at their parking spot. When Russell Bussiere failed to show a few hours after that, the search began, led by New Hampshire Fish and Game and lasting for about a week straight when daylight would allow. More than 200 searchers volunteered to brave the freezing temperatures and deep snow, including the Allenstown Police Department, Army National Guard and canine search teams. The search was suspended when temperatures began to further chill the New England area and all areas of ground in the state park had been covered. Fish and Game also conducted several searches over the winter months. Authorities used line sweeps and GPS mapping to make sure they’d hit all of those areas. Allenstown Police Chief Shaun Mulholland said the remains were

put through DNA testing and fingerprint comparison. His remains were positively identified on Monday, April 28. The remains were found in clothes fitting the description, and his rifle was found with him. Also found on the body were Russell Bussiere’s wallet, cell phone and GPS unit. The body was found about a mile from where the search’s command post was set up on Dodge Road, which is also where the Bussieres had parked, about 45 feet off the trail, Mulholland said. The night Russell Bussiere, who’d been hunting at Bear Brook for 50 years according to family members, disappeared, the area was hit with about a foot of snow. More fell in the following days, creating a very thick snow cover which may have completely concealed Bussiere, Mulholland said. He added search teams had been through the area where the remains were found. “As ironic as it sounds, yesterday was the best day of my life,” said Michael Bussiere

during a phone call on Monday, April 28 about the discovery of his father’s remains the previous day. Michael Bussiere said he wanted to thank all of the agencies and volunteers involved in the search, particularly New Hampshire Fish and Game. “Thanks for the people who went out looking on their free time. Their efforts were truly appreciated,” Michael Bussiere said. Mulholland said there will be a standard post-mortem autopsy on the body, but authorities believe it was a natural death. “We suspect it was a medical condition. There is no evidence of foul play or accidents,” Mulholland said. Michael Bussiere said the family is holding off on services until family members who live in other areas of the country can make the trip. Published Wednesday, April 30, 2008 2:52 PM by Hooksett Editor Filed under: Allenstown, Bear Brook State Park, Hunter missing http://pets.Fortheanimals7/join http://www.myspace.com/fortheanimals7