CARIBOU — On Sept. 24, 2015, the Caribou Fire Department responded to a house fire on Lyndon Street.
When crews extinguished the fire, they discovered the body of the homeowner, 58-year-old Kenneth Zernicke.
Zernicke’s brother, Joe Bourgoine, is still coping with the loss.
“He was the kindest person anyone ever knew,” Bourgoine said. “He would do anything for ya.”
According to the Maine State Police, an autopsy determined the cause of death was homicide.
Bourgoine said police did an extensive investigation.
“They know who did it. They just can’t get that last little thing before they can bring it to court without anything going wrong,” Bourgoine said.
Detectives have always hoped someone saw something because the home was located on a busy four-way intersection.
Bourgoine said he has considered taking matters into his own hands.
“I started out thinking, who’s going to get him first, the legal system or me?” he said.
He said that was not rational thinking so now, six years later, he has saved money for a reward that he hopes will provide answers.
Currently, Bourgoine is offering $10,000 to the person who can bring forward information about who killed his brother.
He said he has been saving and if this leads to finding justice for Kenneth then it was well worth it.
Authorities are asking the public to contact Detective Adam Bell at 207-532-5400 or go to our website at foxbangor.com
