A Washington state woman, Alyssa Bradburn, was sentenced to 28 years in prison for her involvement in the 2024 killing of her father, Timothy Bradburn. The sentence was handed down in Spokane County Superior Court on Thursday, April 2.
The Crime and Trial
Alyssa Bradburn, 33, was convicted of first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement for her role in the death of her father. The jury found her guilty after a trial in which she showed little emotion, even smiling at times.
During the trial, she made a chilling admission, saying, “I killed Tim Bradburn, and I am guilty. I’m not afraid anymore. I’m OK with going to prison for however long.”
Her behavior during the trial raised concerns, as she also expressed that she “enjoyed” the trial process, despite the gravity of her crime. She was seen wearing a bald head throughout the hearing, which added to the oddness of her demeanor.
The Murder and Investigation
Bradburn’s father, Timothy Bradburn, was killed on June 25, 2024, after returning home from a trip to Hawaii. Alyssa called 911 and reported that she had shot her father. She told dispatchers that his body was in the entryway of their home and that she would be waiting outside for the police.
Investigators found that Timothy was ambushed as he entered the house. Alyssa claimed to have shot him three times—twice in the chest and once in the head. However, the autopsy revealed that he had actually been shot four times. Prosecutors described the crime as deliberate, noting that Alyssa had been planning the murder for weeks.
Bradburn admitted during the investigation that she had been practicing with the firearm inside her home and had received help loading the gun at a shooting range. She had even journaled about her plans to kill her father in the days leading up to the murder.
Sentencing and Judge’s Remarks
Judge Julie McKay sentenced Bradburn to 280 months in prison, with an additional 60 months for the firearm enhancement, bringing the total to 340 months (28 years). Judge McKay remarked that Bradburn’s crime was one of the most serious she had encountered in her career.
“Unfortunately, the crime Ms. Bradburn decided to start her criminal history with is the most significant and serious that we have,” McKay stated during sentencing.
In addition to her prison sentence, Bradburn was ordered to serve 36 months of community custody, pay restitution related to her father’s death, and is permanently barred from contacting her brother.
The Self-Defense Claim
Bradburn initially claimed that she acted in self-defense, alleging abuse from her father and mistreatment of her dogs. However, she later withdrew those claims, and prosecutors pointed to the detailed planning and preparation for the murder as evidence that the killing was premeditated.
