The tragic disappearance of 24-year-old Alijah Bradley has led to the arrest of his close friend, Samuel Bush, who now faces charges of second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and abandoning a body. Bradley was last seen on August 12 in Gilbert, Arizona, just one day after celebrating his 24th birthday. His family reported him missing on August 15 when he failed to show up for work, according to local news outlet KTVK-TV.
Bradley’s mother took matters into her own hands, tracking his phone to Bush’s apartment, but shortly after, the phone was turned off, and the tracker lost connection. Determined to find him, Bradley’s relatives used his car’s GPS coordinates, which they shared with the Gilbert Police Department. Days later, on August 19, law enforcement located Bradley’s car in Gila Bend, a small town south of Phoenix.
The discovery of Bradley’s car led to a heart-wrenching revelation. A family member told KTVK-TV that Bradley, who had recently graduated cum laude from Northern Arizona University with a degree in engineering, had been found decapitated and shot. The brutal nature of the crime has shocked his family and friends.
Bush, who was initially arrested on unrelated drug charges, was formally charged on September 6 with second-degree murder, abandoning a dead body, and tampering with physical evidence. Bradley was reportedly Bush’s “only friend” and “best friend,” adding another layer of tragedy to an already horrific situation.
Bradley’s aunt, Melissa McNeal, expressed the family’s deep sorrow, telling KNXV-TV, “It’s devastating. He was just beginning his adulthood. I don’t feel a relief or anything because it doesn’t bring him back. It doesn’t fix anything.” Bradley’s promising future as a successful engineer was cut short, leaving his family and community in mourning.
As the investigation continues, the focus now shifts to finding justice for Bradley, though for his grieving family, no legal outcome can fill the void left by his untimely death.