Ellis Bradham, a 27-year-old African American male, was found dead on December 23, 2016, in northwest Charlotte, North Carolina. His body was discovered in the woods of Shuffletown Park, located in the 9500 block of Bellhaven Boulevard. Bradham had been reported missing by his sister, Kenya Smith, on December 19, 2016, after he left a friend's apartment the previous day and had not been seen or heard from since.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department launched an investigation into
Bradham's disappearance, initially handled by the Missing Persons Unit and later joined by the Homicide Unit. On December 23, 2016, officers found Bradham's body with an apparent gunshot wound. The investigation quickly led to the arrest of Carico R. Hayward, a 28-year-old male who was known to Bradham. Hayward was initially arrested on an unrelated warrant but was later charged with Bradham's murder and a probation violation.
The case against Hayward progressed, and he was eventually found guilty of murdering Ellis Bradham. In January 2018, Hayward, who was out on probation at the time of the killing, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The investigation revealed that Hayward and Bradham knew each other, but the specific motive behind the murder remains unclear. The CMPD's Homicide Unit continues to seek information from the public to further understand the circumstances surrounding Bradham's death.
Bradham's tragic death and the subsequent arrest and conviction of Hayward highlight the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to bring justice to victims and their families. The case remains a somber reminder of the impact of violence on communities and the importance of continued vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
