SHEFFIELD – An Ashley Falls, Massachusetts, man is being held without bail after prosecutors alleged he killed a Connecticut man whose body was later discovered on his property.
Cole Bushnell, 41, was arraigned Tuesday in Southern Berkshire District Court on one count of murder, according to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office.
The victim, identified as 40-year-old Michael Moore of Winsted, worked with Bushnell in the painting industry, and the two had at one point been friends. Moore was found with blunt-force trauma to the skull and small lacerations to his back consistent with a knife wound, according to prosecutors.
Bushnell, who has deep ties to Connecticut, attended North Canaan Elementary School and Housatonic Valley Regional High School. He is the owner of Bushnell Painting LLC, which services Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Prosecutors said Bushnell believed the victim had stolen money from him in connection with a job they were working on together. They also alleged that Bushnell had been exhibiting erratic behavior in the days leading up to the incident and had turned off surveillance cameras at his home, according to statements made by his fiancée.
The investigation began after a witness contacted Connecticut State Police and reported a dead body at 546 Polikoff Road in Ashley Falls, where Bushnell resides. According to prosecutors, Bushnell had shown the witness, who allegedly worked with him, the victim's body inside a greenhouse on the property. The witness then left the residence and contacted law enforcement.
Connecticut State Police notified the Sheffield Police Department, which responded to the property.
Officers located a body at the scene and contacted Massachusetts State Police Detectives Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. The Berkshire State Police Detective Unit was notified of the suspected homicide at approximately 1:34 p.m. June 1, authorities said.
Bushnell was not at the residence when law enforcement arrived. Investigators said he returned to the property at approximately 5:23 p.m. and was arrested by members of the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit. He was allegedly wearing clothes stained in a reddish/brown color, consistent with blood.
Bushnell, who prosecutors say has an extensive criminal record in both Connecticut and Massachusetts, is barred from having contact with any witnesses. His next court date is scheduled to take place July 16.
Additional reporting by Nathan Miller (Updated: 5:31 p.m.)
Cole Bushnell, 41, of Ashley Falls is arraigned on one count of murder at Southern Berkshire District Court June 2. He is being held without bail.
