$15,000 reward offered in local murder case

The Sund-Carrington Memorial Reward Foundation has committed to posting a $15,000 reward for information leading to the capture of a man accused of killing his girlfriend.

Law enforcement agents throughout the Valley are looking for David Brian Bernal, 27, who is wanted in connection with the death of Jennifer Alyson Bushnell, 29.

Bernal is accused of killing Bushnell after what was thought to be a lengthy standoff with deputies in Kings County last month.

"Investigators from Kings, Fresno, and San Joaquin counties are working closely together to bring this case to an end and support the Bushnell family in seeking closure," said Detective Larry Gardiman in a prepared statement to media at a press conference held Thursday morning at the San Joaquin Sheriff's Department.

Kings County Assistant Sheriff Brian Wheat said this morning that investigators are working hard on the case and following any and all possible leads.

The Sund-Carrington Foundation was started by the family of Carole and Juli Sund, who were camping in Yosemite with their friend Silvina Pelosso when they were brutally murdered by an employee of the motel where they were staying outside the park.

"With the Sund-Carrington Foundation's contribution to this investigation, we believe additional leads will be generated to assist us in making (closure) a reality for the Bushnell family," Gardiman said.

According to statistics, the Sund-Carrington Foundation has paid a total of $257,600 in 25 rewards. The same foundation has committed $5,000 to the $80,000 reward pot in the case of missing Hanford mother-of-three Debbie Hawk.

On Feb. 20, a deputy found Bushnell shot and in critical condition at a gas station in San Joaquin County. Emergency medical personnel transported Bushnell to Lodi Memorial Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead shortly after 1 a.m.

San Joaquin authorities said security cameras showed Bernal shoot and kill Bushnell, and flee in her teal-green Honda.

Two weeks ago authorities located the car.

Bernal has been missing since Feb. 17 when he allegedly threatened Bushnell with a gun in front of his stepmother and his four-year-old sister at a house in Northern Kings County.

When his step-mother fled the Cairo Avenue home and reported the incident to authorities, a nearly eight hour hostage stand off ensued. However, when SWAT team members finally entered the home, Bernal and Bushnell were gone.

Three hours later, Bushnell reappeared to tell reporters and deputies on the scene that it was all a misunderstanding, and that she and Bernal had merely had a fight, walked to the river to talk things out, and then headed over to a friend's house. She refused to divulge Bernal's location. She also said she was pregnant by him.

(The reporter can be reached at 582-0471, ext. 3062)

(March 23, 2007)