Man in Arizona charged after discovery of best friend’s headless body in Gila Bend near Phoenix, following family’s report of the victim’s disappearance.
A suspect, identified as Samuel Bush, 23, has been taken into custody by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in relation to the tragic death of Alijah Bradley, 24.
A case was brought to attention when Bradley failed to show up for work and was reported as missing on August 15, just a few days after his birthday. According to reports from independent Phoenix-based TV station KTVK and local CBS affiliate KPHO, his family stated that his phone was last detected at Bush’s apartment.
The family claimed that Bush had no knowledge of Bradley’s whereabouts. According to a close relative of the victim, who requested anonymity, the family received the GPS coordinates of Bradley’s car, which led them to a remote location.
On August 19, a headless body was discovered near Gila Bend.
“I was told his cause of death was getting shot in the back and that they found him without his head,” the relative said. “And something so cruel and so graphic, like it’s almost crazy to think that somebody is capable of doing that.”
She couldn’t understand why it happened.
Bush was taken into custody the next day on charges related to the cultivation and distribution of marijuana and mushrooms. Officials announced on Wednesday that additional charges of second-degree murder and concealing body parts have been added by authorities.
According to his LinkedIn page, Bradley has a background in engineering and graduated with honors from Northern Arizona University. The GoFundMe page expressed the deep impact of his passing on his loved ones.
Bush is currently being detained at the Maricopa County Jail, where bail has been set at $1.5 million. According to online booking records, he is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
