The above quotations are from a FBI interview of Chris Busch’s oldest brother, Charles, on 4-22-08.  (FOIA document p. 02255.)  A commenter from a few weeks back wanted to know more about Chris Busch.  The following is based on FOIA documents, and by no means a complete overview of the information contained in the MSP files concerning Christopher Brian Busch.  I could spend five days cross-referencing articles from 1976-77 in The Traverse City Record-Eagle,  the FBI interview of Busch’s brother, the interview of the husband of the deceased attorney who represented Busch in his numerous criminal sexual conduct cases around the state of Michigan, Busch’s “suicide” file, his file with the MSP and Flint PD from back in 1977, and transcripts from his appearances before Oakland County Judge Templin and other judges around the state who let this pedophile walk time and again.  Here is a short overview of what I’ve read.

First, a totally depressing observation:  It’s obvious the authorities/legal system let the few victims who were brave enough to come forward and press charges against Busch and his “pal” Greg  Green hang out there on their own.  Four convictions around the state–Busch pleaded guilty for god’s sake!–but only probation; no prison time.  “Thank you for playing, boys, now beat it.”  By the time Busch appears before Judge Templin on yet another CSC, this time in Oakland County, he is now a model citizen–the best CSC arrestee his attorney Jane Burgess, had ever seen in her ten years of defending criminals–and come on, Your Honor, let’s leave him out on the street to deal with little boys as he and his local psychiatrist see fit.   Can he be in the presence of youngsters if their parents are present, Your Honor?  (She seriously asked for this clarification at the end of  a hearing.)

So here is a little more background on our gregarious chef and friend to all (all those over 18 and able to physically defend themselves), Chris Busch.

Chris Busch was born on 7/31/51, the youngest of four boys born to Elsie and H. Lee Busch.  The family moved frequently when the kids were young because the father was an executive with General Motors for 40 years.  In fact he was an Executive Financial Director in Europe and the United States for GM.

Three of the four sons predeceased the parents, who lived until their early-90’s.  One son, described as “a homosexual and ‘kind of an activist,’ died of leukemia in England where he had lived for several years.”  (FOIA doc. 02254.)  Another son died approximately 10 years ago “in Michigan of congestive heart failure and diabetes,” and had struggled with alcoholism.  (Id.)  Chris “committed suicide” on November 22 1978, and was the first of the sons to die.  He was cremated two days later at a funeral home in Birmingham, two short blocks from my parents’ house.  There was a small death notice for Busch, but I could find no obituary.

From about first grade on, Busch attended LeRosey boarding school in Switzerland.  After he graduated, I am sorry to say, he stayed on as an instructor “for a time.”  Busch then attended Wayne State University in Detroit for one year.  (FOIA doc. 02255.)  He later went to a culinary institute in Midland, MI.  His father provided the financial backing to open up a bar/restaurant called The Scotsman in Alma, MI.  While Chris Busch was running The Scotsman, he was living in a rental home at 736 N. State Street, Alma, MI.

At some point after Busch was arrested for CSC with a minor at The Scotsman in January 1977, he moved home to his parents’ house in Bloomfield Village, MI.  The Buschs lived in the Bloomfield Village home from 1970 to July, 1979.  Busch was employed as an administrative chef at an assisted living/retirement apartment complex called Franklin Club Apartments, 28301 Franklin Road, Southfield, MI, for about one month–until November 4, 1978.  The manager of the complex at the time was Bob Prussack.  Prussack said Busch quit in order to pursue a new job at Franklin Terrace Apartments, another assisted living facility, located at 26962 Franklin Road, Southfield, MI.  According to Busch’s father, Chris was to start his new job on 11/22/78, the day he was found dead in his parents’ home.

At the time of Tim’s abduction, Busch was driving a 1975 blue Chevrolet Vega hatchback, with white stripes painted on the side.  Associates of Busch were Greg Green and Vince Gunnells.  Another possible associate was James V. Ruocco (also born in 1951, and a photographer–information from The Traverse City Record-Eagle, 1977).

Busch’s only first-degree living relative is Charles Nels Busch.  His son was five or six at the time all of these CSC allegations were floating around, and Charles and his wife made sure their son was never alone with Uncle Chris.  Good move.  Chris’ criminal defense attorney and her husband were apparently ok with Chris–a real nice guy, by the way–and they once stayed at the Busch cottage up north.  Chris even came over when they were there made them and their kid dinner.  He made his attorney a gingerbread house at Christmas time.   Outwardly, at least, Chris was not the monster Greg Green was.