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DENVER POLICE LOOK TO MODESTO FOR LEADS IN A BRUTAL MURDER COLD CASE

Denver Police are still searching for leads in an especially brutal murder case from four years ago, which occurred in Denver, Colorado. Authorities in Denver are looking for new leads and believe someone in the Central Valley may have information in the murder of a former Modesto resident.

A 911 call described a horrific scene early on the morning of April 25, 2004. A resident near I-70 and North Josephine Street had found the body of Joshua Bersuch 19 years old, burning in the alley behind his home.

"This is a very, very vicious crime," says Denver Police Detective Joseph Delmonico. Bersuch had recently moved to Colorado from California to study at Westwood College of Technology.

"I need any information as to who knows Joshua Bersuch and who would want to kill him," Delmonico says. "There's no indication that this kid had any enemies here in Denver. Apparently he was having some trouble in California. He came here, maybe someone from California followed him out here."

Bersuch was from Modesto, California. Bersuch’s mother says she was stunned by what happened.
"He was always a good kid," said Bersuch's mother Anita McKinley. "He really was. I can't understand why anyone would do this."

Police say they are still searching for a motive, but there is one thing they are certain of. The killer wanted the body found and wanted the cruelty of his death to be known.

If you have any information on this case, please call Crime Stoppers @ (209) 572-9543. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters can also text information to Crime Stoppers by sending a text message to 274637. Just type “TIP704” along with your message.

You can also contact the Denver Police Department Cold Case Program Unit @ (720) 913-6677

For information about this news release, contact police spokesman Sergeant Rick Armendariz at (209) 652-1820.