Florida Man, Suspect In 1984 NH Cold Case Arrested

WINDHAM, NH — A suspect in a 1984 New Hampshire cold case was recently arrested in Florida, according to New Hampshire State Police. Richard Brunt (pictured), 74, was arrested in Lakeland June 28. He was charged raping a man on multiple occasions in New Hampshire in 1999 and 2000. Brunt is a former teacher and principal in Massachusetts, authorities said.

Brunt is also a suspect in the 1984 disappearance of Christopher Bird, a 25-year-old teacher from Haverhill, Massachusetts. Bird went on a camping trip with Brunt and was never seen again, authorities said. A few days before the camping trip, Brunt was charged with murdering a man in Florida and subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to The Tampa Bay Times.

Bird was last seen at a horse farm in Windham. His abandoned car was found in Methuen, Massachusetts. Brunt has not been formally charged in connection with Bird's disappearance.

Brunt declined to voluntary return to New Hampshire from Florida to face charges, police said, so authorities will begin the extradition process.

Photo credit: New Hampshire State Police