Kirby Bradford, 58, has been charged with murder in the killing of his long-time best friend, Robert Bruso, 56, whose body was found in April 2025 outside his home in Palermo, Maine. Bradford allegedly executed a carefully planned killing, then attempted to cover up the crime by impersonating Bruso and misleading the victim’s loved ones.
The Discovery of the Crime
The investigation began on April 19, 2025, when friends and family became concerned after being unable to reach Bruso for weeks. Police were called to conduct a welfare check at Bruso’s residence on Boots and Saddle Road, where they discovered his body outside the home. Initial investigation revealed suspicious circumstances, and a subsequent autopsy confirmed that the manner of death was homicide.
Bradford’s Arrest and Suspicious Behavior
Bradford was arrested in September 2025, but authorities kept most details surrounding the case under wraps until a probable cause affidavit was unsealed. According to the affidavit, Bradford and Bruso had been close friends for more than 20 years. Bradford claimed they often worked together on trucks, but investigators uncovered evidence pointing to a calculated plan to murder Bruso.
Authorities discovered a diagram of Bruso’s property and a list of items that seemed to outline a detailed plan, including stun guns, zip ties, masks, and duct tape, according to court documents.
Investigators believe that Bruso’s killing occurred on February 8, 2025, the same day that a sheriff’s deputy responded to a crash notification sent automatically from Bruso’s phone. When the deputy arrived, he found no evidence of a crash, and a man at the scene told him to leave the phone, claiming he would return it to Bruso.
Later, a voicemail was left on the deputy’s phone, allegedly from Bruso, stating he was ice fishing in Greenville — a statement friends and family later confirmed was out of character for Bruso. The voice in the voicemail was later identified as Bradford’s, leading investigators to believe he had been impersonating Bruso.
Bradford’s Attempt to Mislead Friends and Family
Over the following weeks, Bradford continued to mislead others about Bruso’s whereabouts. When a friend inquired about Bruso, Bradford claimed the victim had a new girlfriend, suggesting that Bruso was simply preoccupied with his romantic life. Investigators say these actions were part of Bradford’s efforts to delay detection and avoid suspicion.
Bruso’s body wasn’t discovered until nearly three months later. Police found his remains atop a snowbank near the tree line by his driveway. His clothing had small holes consistent with bullet damage, further indicating that he had been shot.
Evidence of the Crime
A sawed-off shotgun was recovered from Bradford’s vehicle, with the serial number ground off, and multiple rounds loaded into the weapon. Investigators also found gloves with light-colored hair on them, which were linked to Bruso’s golden retriever, who had gone missing at the same time as Bruso.
Authorities also learned that Bruso was known to keep large amounts of cash at home, often as much as $50,000, to get him through the winter months. Bradford’s girlfriend revealed that Bradford had struggled with crack cocaine addiction, possibly providing a motive for the murder.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Bradford has been indicted on one count of murder and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and remains in custody without bail. Authorities are continuing their investigation, and the case has raised significant concern due to Bradford’s calculated actions and deceptive behavior following the murder.
Bradford’s next court appearance has not been scheduled, but his case is expected to draw attention as more details about his motivation and the events leading to Bruso’s death unfold. The murder of Robert Bruso is being described as a carefully planned execution with chilling consequences for all those involved.
