A 23-year-old Arizona man, Sam Bush, has been charged with the brutal murder of his best friend, 24-year-old Alijah Bradley. Bradley’s beheaded body was found in the desert near Gila Bend last month, and while his initial cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound, the grisly nature of his death has shocked his family and the community.
Bush was arrested the day after Bradley’s body was discovered but was initially charged with drug-related offenses for growing and distributing marijuana and mushrooms from his apartment.
Bradley, a Northern Arizona University graduate and project engineer, was reported missing by his family on August 15 after missing work and failing to show up for a scheduled call with his mother. His disappearance led to a police investigation, and his body was ultimately recovered on August 19. Following his arrest, Bush was later charged with second-degree murder in connection to Bradley’s death.
Arizona Man Charged with Brutal Murder and Beheading of Childhood Best Friend in Desert
Bradley’s mother expressed deep grief and shock over her son’s death, describing him as a kind and loving individual who had a bright future ahead. She vowed to seek justice for her son, emphasizing the profound loss she feels every day. Bradley’s family, devastated by the brutal nature of his death, is determined to uncover the truth and bring closure to their tragic loss.
The investigation gained momentum when Bradley’s family used the Life360 app to track his phone to Bush’s apartment, where Bush initially claimed ignorance of his friend’s whereabouts. However, after coordinating with Toyota to locate Bradley’s vehicle, police were able to trace the car to the desert, where they found his body. The discovery of Bradley’s beheading has left his family in disbelief, struggling to comprehend how such a violent act could be committed by someone considered his best friend.
As the case unfolds, the family remains puzzled over the motive behind the murder, especially considering that Bush and Bradley were childhood friends. Some case documents have been sealed, limiting the amount of information available to the public. Bush is currently being held on a $1.5 million bond, with the investigation ongoing as authorities work to uncover more details about the crime.
