An elderly Kentwood couple was found murdered in their home on the morning of Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012. Investigators found 81-year old David Bouwman and 80-year old Vivian Bouwman dead in their home at 2289 Stowevalley Drive SE as a result of a home invasion.
What first tipped off the police was a report of a car fire. The gold Cadillac Deville, belonging to the Bouwman's, was reported on fire near the 3800 block of Madison in Wyoming. Police figured out who the owner of the car was and went to the Bouwman home, where they found the bodies of the couple.
The police believe the murder occurred between 7 and 8 p.m. on Friday night, Jan. 4, 2012. According to Vivian's oldest sister, Ann Kieft,
You couldn't ask for a better couple. There's no end to our love for her, for both of them...you just don't know how anybody can do something to people like that. It's a thing we just can't understand.
A good friend of the Bouwans, Joe Medema of Grandville, remembers them fondly:
They were loved. They were very active in the church. They had lots of friends.
The cause of death has not yet been determined, and autopsies are scheduled to determine the cause of death.
The Bouwman's were married for over 50 years and had plans to travel to Florida.
Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call Kentwood Police Department at (616) 698-6580 or Silent Observer (616) 774-2345.
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