In a quiet Milford, Delaware community, the life of 38-year-old Jessica Bradley was tragically cut short on July 5, 2026, in an apparent murder-suicide. A chilling 9-1-1 call was received by authorities at approximately 4:15 p.m. from a man who stated he had killed his wife before abruptly hanging up the phone. The call originated from a residence on Sugar Maple Drive in the Sugar Maple Farms neighborhood.
Responding troopers and 9-1-1 dispatchers made multiple unsuccessful attempts to re-establish contact with the caller.
Given the alarming nature of the call and the lack of response from within the home, the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team was dispatched to the scene. Upon entering the residence, they discovered a grim scene. Jessica Bradley was found with gunshot wounds, and her husband, 43-year-old Brooks Bradley, was also found deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Both were pronounced dead at the location. The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit has taken charge of the ongoing investigation.
Jessica Bradley was a respected nurse practitioner at Bayhealth, remembered as a "compassionate clinician, a trusted caregiver and a cherished member of the Bayhealth family." Her death has deeply affected the community, with many expressing their sorrow for her and the couple's two sons. In the wake of the tragedy, support systems, including a fund established by the Bayhealth Foundation and a meal train, were set up to help the family. The investigation into the double fatality has been classified as a murder-suicide, with Brooks Bradley as the sole suspect in his wife's death. As Brooks Bradley is also deceased, there have been no arrests, and the case will not proceed to a trial or conviction. The case remains an active investigation by the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit as they continue to piece together the events that led to the tragic outcome.
