A 60-year-old Virginia man allegedly shot and killed his wife after telling a relative that the impending end of their marriage was "too much to bear," authorities said. Roger Bradford is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 54-year-old Lisa Bradford, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office (LCSO).
Background
The incident occurred on a Tuesday at the couple's home on the 24000 block of Quimby Oaks Place in Aldie, Virginia, an unincorporated community located approximately 40 miles west of Washington, D.C. Court records reviewed by Law&Crime and NBC affiliate WRC reveal a troubling pattern of mental health struggles and legal troubles preceding the homicide.
In a January filing related to his appeal in a previous case, Roger Bradford wrote that his "pre-existing mental health conditions worsened" while in custody. He described feeling "suicidal many nights" and noted that his "professional reputation and relationships" had been destroyed by his felony conviction. Most notably, he referenced his spouse, stating, "My marriage with my wife Lisa is now headed to divorce as the pressures and injustice of this nightmare took its toll on our marriage and our life together."
The Investigation
According to court records, after allegedly shooting his wife, Roger Bradford called a relative to apologize. He told the relative he was "going to kill himself" and asked if they could "pick up his juvenile daughter so that she would not" come home to find her mother dead. The relative contacted police, prompting LCSO deputies to arrive at the residence at approximately 12:10 p.m., where they found Lisa Bradford dead.
Roger Bradford was not at the scene when deputies arrived. He reportedly used a rental car to drive about two and a half hours north into Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania State Police located and arrested him at approximately 3:15 p.m. The arrest followed a brief but frantic search across state lines.
Prior to this homicide, Roger Bradford had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud related to a kickback scheme in Iowa dating back to 2019. He had been sentenced to serve time in prison, though his recent appeal efforts highlighted his deteriorating mental state.
The Charges
The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office announced that Roger Bradford has been charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The charges stem from the shooting death of his wife, Lisa Bradford, who was a member of the Dulles Area Association of Realtors.
Key Takeaways
- Roger Bradford, 60, is charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in the death of his wife, Lisa Bradford, 54.
- Bradford allegedly told a relative the end of their marriage was "too much to bear" and that he intended to kill himself.
- He asked the relative to pick up their juvenile daughter to prevent her from discovering her mother's body.
- Pennsylvania State Police arrested Bradford approximately three hours after the crime, following his drive from Virginia to Pennsylvania in a rental car.
- Bradford had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and cited worsening mental health and divorce proceedings in recent court filings.
What's Next
Bradford is expected to face arraignment in Loudoun County Circuit Court. Investigators are currently reviewing digital evidence, including the rental car records and phone logs, to establish the precise timeline of his movement from Virginia to Pennsylvania. The case will proceed through the Virginia judicial system, with future court dates to be determined by the presiding judge.