Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

Car, human remains pulled from Delta-Mendota Canal last week

Vehicle belonged to man who disappeared in 2006

Authorities on Oct. 23 discovered a station wagon, belonging to a missing Gustine man, inside the Delta-Mendota Canal just west of Newman, according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department.

Human remains were found inside the vehicle, but the body has not been identified, said sheriff's Lt. Mike Parker. Ben Brunsvik, 49, was last seen on January 19, 2006, when he told his mother he was leaving for the Sacramento area on business, but he didn't pack an overnight bag.

Relatives said at the time that Brunsvik had not placed any calls on his cell phone since his disappearance, and he was diabetic in need of his medication.

Brunsvik, a computer software consultant, drove a 1999 green Ford Escort station wagon. Authorities found it in the canal near Bell and West Stuhr roads.

Parker said the station wagon was packed with mud, but there was nothing inside that would indicate foul play was involved. He said dental records will be used to identify the body. If that doesn't work, coroner officials will use DNA to determine who was found in the station wagon.