Aydee Casado-Dominguez and Humberto Rodriguez Hernandez, both 21 years old, are accused of second-degree murder in the death of Caelick Bradley after authorities say they discovered inappropriate photographs on his phone and shot him dead before wrapping his body in blankets secured with ratchet straps near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state.
Background
Bradley's mother contacted Tacoma police on June 12 after not hearing from her son for several days. She told investigators he was supposed to move back to Virginia but had stopped answering calls and messages, which was uncharacteristic of him, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime. Police conducted a welfare check at his apartment but were unable to locate him.
Friends of Bradley told investigators he was in a relationship with Casado-Dominguez, who was also engaged to Hernandez, a U.S. Army service member stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Friends alleged that Casado-Dominguez had been sending threatening messages to Bradley and wanted Hernandez to fight him.
According to the affidavit, Bradley's mother said her son served in the Army at Joint Base Lewis-McChord from 2017 to 2023 and was working as a security guard at the Port of Tacoma UPS facility at the time of his death. She last heard from him around June 8.
The Investigation
Phone records contradicted Casado-Dominguez's account of when she last saw Bradley, according to investigators. She claimed he texted her on June 8 saying he was going to see a friend but got a flat tire, yet surveillance footage and bank records told a different story. Someone used Bradley's debit card at a local Walmart to purchase more than $700 in merchandise the day before his mother called police. Surveillance video identified Hernandez and Casado-Dominguez as the individuals allegedly using the card.
Military police arrested Hernandez at Joint Base Lewis-McChord based on the identity theft evidence. In a Mirandized interview, Hernandez told detectives that his fiancee handed him Bradley's card and he "just went with it." When pressed about Bradley's whereabouts, Hernandez eventually confirmed that Bradley was dead and led police to an area just outside the military base where the victim's remains had been dumped.
According to the affidavit, Hernandez said he returned to the apartment he shared with Casado-Dominguez on June 9 and found Bradley dead on the couch with apparent gunshot wounds. Hernandez told investigators that Casado-Dominguez claimed Bradley showed up at the apartment unannounced and the two began arguing about his possession of inappropriate pictures of her on his phone.
Casado-Dominguz allegedly fired a shot at him as she fell to the ground, striking him. Bradley fled but was chased down and brought back to the apartment where he died from his injuries, according to Hernandez's account relayed to police. The pair then wrapped the body in blankets tied together with ratchet straps before leaving their 2-year-old child home unattended while they disposed of the remains near the base, investigators said.
Investigators later arrested Casado-Dominguez. She denied involvement in the alleged murder and claimed she was partying with friends she refused to identify on the day Bradley died, per the affidavit.
The Charges
Both defendants are charged with second-degree murder, desecration of human remains and six counts of identity theft in connection with Bradley's death. They have pleaded not guilty to all charges and remain detained in Pierce County Jail on $1 million bonds each.
Pierce County Superior Court has scheduled their next court appearance for July 22.
Key Takeaways
- Caelick Bradley, 27, was allegedly shot dead by his girlfriend Aydee Casado-Dominguez after an argument over inappropriate photographs found on his phone
- Humberto Rodriguez Hernandez, a U.S. Army soldier stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, is accused of helping dispose of the body and using Bradley's stolen debit card
- The victim's remains were wrapped in blankets secured with ratchet straps before being dumped near the military base
- The defendants allegedly left their 2-year-old child home alone while disposing of Bradley's body
- Both suspects have pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, desecration of human remains and six counts of identity theft
What's Next
Casado-Dominguez and Hernandez are scheduled to appear in Pierce County Superior Court on July 22 for further proceedings. They remain held on $1 million bonds each as they await trial. The investigation is ongoing, and prosecutors have indicated they may pursue additional charges as the case develops.