Slayings of Father, Son Months Apart a Mystery

While homicide detectives in two counties said Thursday that they still could draw no link between the ambush-style slayings of a father and son, friends called their deaths a bizarre and unsettling mystery.

William Budfuloski, 53, of Lancaster and Michael Budfuloski, 31, of Simi Valley were described as friendly people who were known for helping others and whose lifestyles seemed far from the world of crime and violence.

Vernon Denny, a retired Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, said the circumstances of the elder Budfuloski’s death in August stunned him.

“He was a very generous man, very kind and always outgoing,” he said. “His employees spoke well of him. I don’t know anyone who had a grudge against him or didn’t like him.”

William Budfuloski owned Budco Fabrication Inc., a Lancaster sheet metal shop that produced aerospace parts. For the five years preceding his death, he had rented 11,200 square feet of commercial and office space from Denny, and the two men became friendly. “Bill liked everyone around him,” Denny said.

Michael Budfuloski’s body was found inside the front door of his upscale Simi Valley home early Tuesday. He was attacked as he arrived home from work, authorities said.

The father and son both died of multiple gunshot wounds, detectives said. There are no known witnesses and no one reported hearing gunfire, though both slayings were within earshot of residences.

Authorities said robbery was not a motive.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Larry Lincoln said Thursday that no clear connection had been made between the two killings.

The trail had long since grown cold in the father’s slaying when the son was found dead, Lincoln said. There were no suspects and “we just didn’t have any positive leads that would give us direction as to what the motive was for the murder or who was responsible for committing it.”

Sheriff’s detectives have been exchanging information with Simi Valley investigators, he said. “The only connection we have so far is the fact that they are related, father and son.”

Denny said he learned from officials and others at the scene that the elder Budfuloski was apparently killed while tidying up his premises alone after hours.

“That’s the kind of guy he was -- he did things other people didn’t want to do,” Denny said.

“Whoever it was, they came onto the property on foot, because the big entrance gate was nearly closed,” he said.

Money from the office beverage machines was on the counter in plain view, he said. “Nothing was touched. Bill was a pretty big guy, very well-built, very muscular, and he could have handled somebody if they’d attacked him,” Denny said.

He said his tenant “worked all the time” and was not the type to tolerate or be involved in anything illegal.

In Simi Valley, residents on Rio Vista Court on Thursday remembered Michael Budfuloski as a kind and friendly man who always had time to help a neighbor.

Ross Barbour, 75, said Michael Budfuloski and his wife, Tara, had moved to the cul-de-sac several years ago and were adopted by many of the older residents who live there. He said Budfuloski, who worked nights painting scenery for movie studios, spent many days working on his home and was quick to offer assistance to others.

“He did a lot of work on his frontyard and side yard. He was good at laying brick and pouring concrete. And he’d help all the neighbors who let him help,” said Barbour, adding that Budfuloski would not hesitate to use his pickup truck to haul items for people on the block.

“We’re all kind of shaken to think one of our neighbors can get shot right in front of their house,” Barbour said.

“He wasn’t a wrong guy,” Barbour added. “He wasn’t into crime, drugs or thievery. He was a good man and he’s dead. And his wife is a neat lady, too. They didn’t deserve what they got.”