Berkshire County Painter Accused of Killing Coworker and Concealing Remains

A western Massachusetts man allegedly murdered a fellow painter and hid the body under a mattress in a greenhouse before showing it to an acquaintance.

Berkshire County Painter Accused of Killing Coworker and Concealing Remains

A 41-year-old man from Ashley Falls stands accused of homicide after prosecutors say he killed a Connecticut colleague and stashed the remains inside an outbuilding on his property.

Cole Bushnell was arrested Monday evening near his Sheffield residence on Polikoff Road and is slated to appear before a judge in Great Barrington District Court for arraignment.

The investigation began when an individual who had visited Bushnell's home that same day contacted police. The visitor told investigators Bushnell had escorted him to a greenhouse and lifted a mattress to reveal the body of 40-year-old Michael Moore, a resident of Winstead, Connecticut.

The witness immediately left and reported the discovery to authorities. When law enforcement reached the property, they found Moore deceased in the greenhouse. Prosecutors noted the victim had suffered a stab-like injury to his back as well as head wounds consistent with being struck by a heavy object.

Bushnell was absent when officers first arrived, but returned shortly after 5 p.m. wearing clothing that appeared to carry bloodstains. He was placed under arrest upon his return.

The district attorney's office confirmed the two men were acquainted and had occasionally collaborated on painting jobs. In the period leading up to the slaying, they had quarreled over a joint work project. During this timeframe, Bushnell reportedly began acting in ways those around him perceived as increasingly suspicious and irrational.

Details reported by Western Mass News.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)