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Home Depot Bucket Is New Evidence In Double Murder

Posted at 11:13 AM, Jan 09, 2013
and last updated 2013-01-09 11:17:18-05

KENTWOOD, Mich.– Kentwood Police are asking the public for help regarding information about a double murder  involving an elderly couple from Kentwood.

David Bouwman, 81, and his wife Vivian Bouwman, 80, were found murdered in their home at 2289 Stowe Valley SE on Saturday during a home invasion.

Autopsies conducted on Monday confirm the couple died from gunshot wounds, but the caliber of the weapon is still not known. The rounds appear to have been fired by a handgun, according to investigators.

Police believe the suspect or suspects stole the couple’s Cadillac and torched it outside the Arbor Park Apartments in the 3800 block of Madison in Wyoming. The burning vehicle was discovered by renters on Saturday morning.

Additionally, an orange Home Depot bucket was located outside the apartments. The bucket has remnants of an accelerant, and investigators believe that the suspect or suspects used the bucket to transport an accelerant to the scene, where it was used in the destruction of the car.

Investigators believe that the suspect or suspects made contact with at least one other person after the murders, but before the arson of the vehicle. They believe that this person has knowledge of the killings and ask that this person come forward.

Detectives are asking that anyone who may have seen suspicious person/s transporting or filling an orange bucket and/or driving a 2001 Cadillac Deville on Saturday morning to please call with information.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Kentwood Police Department at 616-698-6580 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.