Tyronne Brazille, 50, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was pulled over by police in downtown Memphis for a traffic violation and found with his dead wife, Lanessa Bradford, 50, propped up in the passenger seat of his car with a gunshot wound to her body, authorities say.
Background
Brazille and Bradford had been together for years, according to friends, but their marriage was troubled. In interviews with WREG, close friend Shelicka Decker said Bradford had been trying to escape her husband and had developed an elaborate plan to disappear. "[Bradford] was going to just vanish," Decker told the Memphis television station. "That was the only way she would be able to get away from him. She was going to leave her car, she was going to leave all the things behind, and she had been in touch with her family that was out of town, and that's how she was going to make this move to get away."
Decker alleged that Brazille threatened Bradford repeatedly, warning he would kill either her or himself if she ever tried to leave. "He never put his hands on her up until recently, like maybe like two or three months ago," Decker said. She added that the abuse escalated in recent months. Bradford worked at an elementary school, and her colleagues requested a welfare check after she missed several days of work.
According to police accounts, Brazille drove through multiple states with Bradford's body before being stopped by officers in Memphis. Decker expressed disbelief at the disturbing nature of the alleged crimes. "I have so many questions," she said. "Like, what were you doing in the car with her that amount of time while she was deceased. Where was his mind at during that ride? Like, it's so crazy and heartbreaking."
The Investigation
Memphis police took Brazille into custody after discovering Bradford's body in the passenger seat. Officers determined she had died from a gunshot wound. Authorities booked him as a fugitive. According to WREG, investigators believe Brazille killed Bradford following an argument at a park in Baton Rouge before beginning his multi-state journey with her remains.
Brazille is charged with murder in connection with Bradford's death and is expected to face those charges in Louisiana after completing court proceedings in Tennessee. Police say he was apprehended as a fugitive from another state. The investigation involved coordination between Memphis authorities and law enforcement in Louisiana, where the couple resided.
Key Takeaways
- Tyronne Brazille, 50, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is accused of murdering his wife Lanessa Bradford, 50, then driving through several states with her body
- Police discovered the body during a traffic stop in downtown Memphis; Bradford had a gunshot wound
- Friends say Bradford was planning to leave her husband and had contacted family out of town as part of her escape plan
- Brazille allegedly threatened to kill Bradford or himself if she tried to leave, according to her friend Shelicka Decker
- Colleagues requested a welfare check after Bradford missed work at the elementary school where she was employed
What's Next
Brazille is scheduled to appear in court Monday in Memphis for initial proceedings. Authorities say he will likely be extradited to Louisiana, where he faces a murder charge in connection with Bradford's death. The case remains under investigation as police work to determine the exact timeline of events leading to Bradford's death.
"She was such a good person," Decker said of her friend. "It's such an unfortunate situation. My prayers are with her family and friends as well as his, because we were all friends."