A murder mystery has police asking for your help. Dan Kruser was a lifelong Fresno resident but his body was found in Arizona three years ago. Arizona detectives are in Fresno because another murder case that Kruser was supposed to be a witness in is finally closed. Now detectives are going though that case to glean more information on Kruser.
The 59-year-old was a raisin grower, a one-time owner of Klein's restaurant, and according to his sister, a decent human being.
“If you were his friend he'd give you the shirt off his back. Many people respected him. He, when he met certain other people, changed,” said his sister, who only wants to be known by her first name, Linda.
Despite his change of character in the last few years of his life, she was shocked to learn his body was found in the Colorado River near Parker, Arizona in 2009. There was a bullet through the back of his head.
“Nobody deserves to be murdered. Nobody,” said Linda.
Back in 2009, Kruser was supposed testify in a Sanger woman's murder trial. Maria Padilla's body had been dismembered with body parts found in two separate locations. One of the two suspects charged, was Kruser's former business partner. That suspect took a plea deal and the case is now closed.
“Which means we can come in and really start digging and trying to find out what happened in their investigation… See how Mr. Kruser ties into their investigation and then how their suspects tie into our investigation,” said Detective Jeff Brown of the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Kruser was missing one week before his body was found. His car was abandoned at a NAPA store in Arizona. It's unknown when and where he was killed, or who did it. But Kruser's family and detectives believe someone does know.
“There are people out there that do know what happened and I'm hoping they'll find the strength to come forward and share,” said Linda.
If you have any information, call (602) 292-7495.
