Man found dead in basement freezer after trying to hide from police

A 34-year-old Minnesota man, last seen fleeing police, was found dead in a freezer in his basement.

The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office identified the man as Brandon Lee Buschman, according to a police press release. The office also noted that the autopsy found no evidence of trauma or injury.

Not only could the freezer not be opened from the inside when closed – it can only be opened via a locking mechanism on the outside of the freezer – but it was not active when Buschman was found.

According to the notice, the house has been unoccupied since February 2023 and no utility lines have been connected since April 2022.

After interviewing people who know Buschman, police said he was last seen by people in his home fleeing the upstairs of his home after hearing police were nearby. There is an active arrest warrant for Buschman, the statement said.

The press release states that evidence “suggests that Buschman entered the freezer of his own accord.”

The final autopsy reports will be released in a few weeks, police said.