Washington Woman Smiles in Court After Confessing to Father's Murder
A shaven-headed Washington woman displayed a chilling smile in court as she was sentenced to prison for the murder of her father, following a stunning confession that revealed extensive premeditation. Alyssa Bradburn, aged 33, received a sentence of more than 28 years in Spokane County Superior Court last Thursday after being found guilty of first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement.
Chilling Confession and Immediate Arrest
According to court documents and trial testimony, Bradburn called emergency services on June 25, 2024, to admit she had shot her father, Timothy Bradburn, 68, as he returned home from Hawaii. She informed dispatchers that her father's body lay in the entryway of their Northwest Spokane home and that she would be waiting outside for police, who arrived within minutes of her call.
During sentencing, Bradburn, who had shaved her head after previous court appearances with full hair, told the court, 'I killed Tim Bradburn, and I am guilty.' She added, 'I'm not afraid anymore. I'm okay with going to prison for however long.' Her demeanor remained stoic and often smiling throughout the trial, despite the grave charges against her.
Elaborate Planning and Execution
Prosecutors detailed that Bradburn had planned the murder approximately three weeks in advance, beginning to journal about it four days prior to the crime. She practiced aiming the gun at home and received assistance loading the weapon at a gun range. Bradburn told detectives she believed she had shot her father three times—twice in the chest and once in the head—to ensure his death, though an autopsy later revealed he was actually shot four times.
The shooting occurred as Timothy Bradburn walked through the front door with his suitcase and keys still in hand. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Emily Sullivan argued that Bradburn 'demonstrated an extreme and elaborate degree of planning' and that the act was 'not an impulsive act but a deliberate decision to kill.' Bradburn had even locked her dogs in the laundry room before the murder.
Retracted Abuse Allegations and Family Impact
Initially, Bradburn alleged to police that her father had abused her as a child and shot at her dogs with a BB gun. She also accused her older brother, Trace Bradburn, of raping her when she was three or four years old. However, she later retracted these accusations. Trace denied the allegations in court, stating his father never abused the dogs or his sister.
Trace expressed profound grief, telling the court, 'It just guts me every day.' He defended his father's memory, saying, 'The false accusations made against him have deeply tarnished his memory and that is devastating to me because my dad was an amazing man and he never did anything to hurt anyone.'
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Bradburn was represented by Spokane public defender Brian Raymon, who requested leniency by citing her mental health issues, including a condition where she 'sometimes blurs fantasy with reality.' In contrast, prosecutors emphasized the premeditated nature of the crime. Judge Julie McKay noted that Bradburn had no prior criminal history before this incident, stating, 'Unfortunately, the crime Ms. Bradburn decided to start her criminal history with is the most significant and serious that we have.'
The judge also ordered that Bradburn never contact her brother again and mandated restitution related to her father's murder. The sentencing came roughly a month after jurors found her guilty, marking a somber conclusion to a case that has shocked the local community.
