Kentwood police released a composite sketch of a man they're calling a person of interest in the murder investigation of a Kentwood couple shot to death in their home last weekend.
Investigators put the sketch together after talking with witnesses in the case.
David Bouwman, 81, and his 80-year-old wife Vivian were shot to death in their home on Stowevalley Drive in the early hours of Jan. 5. Their 2001 Cadillac DeVille was stolen, driven four miles to an apartment complex in the 3800 block of Madison SW in Wyoming, then set on fire.
Investigators put the sketch together after talking with witnesses in the case.
David Bouwman, 81, and his 80-year-old wife Vivian were shot to death in their home on Stowevalley Drive in the early hours of Jan. 5. Their 2001 Cadillac DeVille was stolen, driven four miles to an apartment complex in the 3800 block of Madison SW in Wyoming, then set on fire.
Authorities said this sketch is of a light-skinned black man in his 30s, about 6-feet tall, with a beard that has a bit of gray in it. He is believed to have a tan hat and a red scarf.
The person of interest is believed to have been there when the Bouwmans' car was set ablaze. Police said they do not know who he is, but suggested he turn himself in "before we come track you down."
"I think it would be in his best interest to call us and tell is what his involvement is," said Kentwood Police Chief Tom Hillen at a Thursday afternoon press conference. "There's always a possibility he knows nothing about what happened prior to maybe his friend showing up with this car asking him to dispose of it. I don't know."
Police say the Wednesday release of a photo of an orange bucket believed to carry accelerant to the Bouwman's car generated tips and and prompted witnesses to come forward. Some said they saw the Cadillac before it was torched.
Police believe there were two people in the car before it was set on fire. It's also believed other people not connected to the homicides or the arson were contacted by the suspects, and are urged to come forward.
Police believe there were two people in the car before it was set on fire. It's also believed other people not connected to the homicides or the arson were contacted by the suspects, and are urged to come forward.
It has been a challenging case for police, Hillen said.
"You'll get a lead that you think is pretty hot, only to find out it's pretty cold," he said.
But they remain confident that justice will be served.
"We're not stalled on this, so I remain optimistic that we'll get a conclusion to it," Hillen said. "We're confident somebody knows who this is and every day we get a little closer."
Investigators have also been awaiting returns from a Michigan State Police crime lab where evidence from the crime scene was being processed for clues.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Kentwood Police Department at 616.698.6580 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345.
"You'll get a lead that you think is pretty hot, only to find out it's pretty cold," he said.
But they remain confident that justice will be served.
"We're not stalled on this, so I remain optimistic that we'll get a conclusion to it," Hillen said. "We're confident somebody knows who this is and every day we get a little closer."
Investigators have also been awaiting returns from a Michigan State Police crime lab where evidence from the crime scene was being processed for clues.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Kentwood Police Department at 616.698.6580 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345.
A $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect has been offered from Silent Observer, which received a donation from Lacks Enterprises.
Anyone wishing to add to that fund can mail a tax-deductible donation to:
The David and Vivian Bouwman Reward Fund
Silent Observer
PO Box 230321
Grand Rapids, MI 49523
Silent Observer
PO Box 230321
Grand Rapids, MI 49523
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