Gilbert, Arizona – Samuel Stephen Bush, 24, has been charged with first-degree murder, abandonment or concealment of a dead body, and tampering with physical evidence following the brutal killing and dismemberment of his best friend, Alijah Bradley, 24. The shocking details of the case have surfaced, revealing a horrific crime that has left the victim’s family reeling in grief.
The Discovery of Alijah Bradley’s Death
Alijah Bradley, who had recently graduated from Northern Arizona University, went missing on August 12, 2024, the day after his 24th birthday. It was a typical routine for Bradley to call his mother every morning to say “good morning”, but he failed to do so on the morning of August 12. When he didn’t reach out to his mother, she became concerned and reported him missing three days later.
Investigators believe Bradley was shot and killed by Samuel Bush on the very day he missed that habitual call. According to grand jury documents, Bush allegedly shot Bradley in the back on August 12 and then took gruesome steps to cover up the crime.
The Dismemberment
After allegedly killing Bradley, Bush purchased a reciprocating saw from a home improvement store, prosecutors say. Using the saw, he dismembered his friend’s body by removing his limbs and head before dumping the remains in a desolate area near Gila Bend, a small town located about 90 miles southwest of Gilbert.
Family members of Bradley were quick to suspect Bush. According to an anonymous relative, Bradley’s mother used the Life360 app to ping his phone, but it was powered off. However, it provided the last known location of the phone, which was traced to Bush’s apartment. The family initially contacted Bush, but he denied any knowledge of Bradley’s disappearance.
Family’s Search for Answers
As the family continued their search for answers, they reached out to Toyota to obtain GPS coordinates for Bradley’s missing vehicle. The automaker provided the information to law enforcement, helping them trace the car’s location, which was described by a relative as being “in the middle of nowhere.”
On August 19, 2024, Bradley’s headless body was discovered. A family member described the horrific nature of the death: “He was shot in the back and found without his head,” they said. The brutality of the crime left the family stunned. “Something so cruel and so graphic, like it’s almost crazy to think that somebody is capable of doing that.”
The Motive Behind the Killing
Family members struggled to comprehend why Bush would kill his best friend. “He was Sam’s best friend. He was Sam’s only friend,” a relative stated, unable to explain the violent act.
Arrest and Charges
On August 20, 2024, Bush was arrested on drug-related charges. It was not until later that he was officially charged with second-degree murder, and the charges were later upgraded to first-degree murder as the investigation revealed more about the premeditated nature of the killing.
Bradley’s aunt expressed the overwhelming sense of loss: “It’s devastating. He was just beginning his adulthood.” She also added, “I don’t feel relief or anything because it doesn’t bring him back. It doesn’t fix anything.”
Community Support and Fundraiser
Bradley was described as a “bright and beloved soul” by those who knew him. A GoFundMe set up to help with funeral expenses described Bradley as having a “free spirit and wild soul”. The fundraiser notes that his loss is felt deeply by everyone who knew him, and the family now faces the added financial burdens of this tragedy.
