On April 19, 2025, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the Maine State Police responded to 128 Boots and Saddle Road in Palermo for a welfare check.

Upon arrival, Troopers discovered the body ofRobert Bruso, 56, of Palermo, outside of the residence. Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit Central determined the circumstances of the death to be suspicious, and the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta later ruled the manner of death a homicide.

On September 18, 2025, detectives chargedKirby Bradford, 58, Liberty with murder in connection with Bruso’s death, according to a Sept. 19 news release from the MSP.

Bradford, who was being held at the Kennebec County Jail on unrelated charges, will make his initial appearance today at 1 p.m. in Waldo County Superior Court.

Bruso owned a golden retriever named Lenny, who has not yet been located. Anyone with information about the location of Lenny, or who may have seen a golden retriever in the area of Route 3 near Boots and Saddle Road and/or Level Hill Road in Palermo, is asked to contact the Augusta Regional Communication Center at 207-624-7076.