A Meticulous Plan Unraveled (Image Credits: Pixabay)
Spokane, Washington – Alyssa Bradburn gunned down her father, Timothy Bradburn, in the entryway of their northwest Spokane home after weeks of calculated preparation. The 33-year-old woman shot him multiple times as he returned from a trip to Hawaii, then immediately dialed 911 to report the killing. Prosecutors detailed her chilling premeditation during sentencing, where Bradburn appeared bald-headed and smiled through much of the proceedings.[1][2]
A Meticulous Plan Unraveled
Bradburn began plotting her father’s death about three weeks before the shooting. Court documents revealed she journaled extensively about the murder starting four days prior, outlining her intentions in stark detail. She practiced aiming the firearm inside the house and sought assistance at a gun range to load the weapon properly.[3][4]
Prosecutors emphasized the extreme level of planning during the trial. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Emily Sullivan stated that the evidence showed “an extreme and elaborate degree of planning.”[5] Bradburn even locked her dogs in a room to keep them safe and donned safety glasses and earplugs before lying in wait. One account noted she feigned illness to ensure her father would enter the home concerned.[4]
The Fatal Ambush at the Front Door
On June 25, 2024, Timothy Bradburn arrived home from his Hawaii condo, where he had been addressing a leaking roof issue back in Spokane. He carried his suitcase and keys through the front door when Bradburn ambushed him. She fired four shots – twice in the chest and twice in the head, according to the autopsy – killing him before he could set down his belongings.[1][2]
Bradburn told detectives she believed she fired only three rounds to ensure his death. Moments later, she called 911, calmly informing dispatchers that she had shot her father and that his body lay in the entryway. She waited outside for police to arrive. Initially, she claimed self-defense, alleging long-term abuse toward her and her dogs, but later abandoned those assertions.[3]
Unsettling Demeanor Throughout the Trial
A Spokane County jury convicted Bradburn of first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement in March 2026, about 20 months after the killing. During the proceedings, she sat stoically, often smiling as testimony unfolded. In her own testimony, she admitted the crime outright, saying with a smile, “I killed Tim Bradburn, and I am guilty.”[1][3]
She continued, “I’m not afraid anymore. I’m OK with going to prison for however long,” and remarked that she enjoyed the trial process despite deserving punishment. Her defense highlighted mental health struggles, with attorney Brian Raymon describing her as neurodivergent and prone to blurring fantasy with reality. The judge noted her courtroom presence felt performative, as if everyone were part of a show.[2]
- Journaled murder plans for days leading up to June 25, 2024.
- Practiced shooting inside the home.
- Wore protective gear during the ambush.
- Confessed immediately via 911 call.
- Smiled repeatedly during trial testimony.
Sentencing Delivers Justice Amid Family Grief
On April 2, 2026, Superior Court Judge Julie McKay sentenced Bradburn to 340 months – 280 months for the murder plus a 60-month firearm enhancement – in prison, followed by 36 months of community custody. The judge called it a midrange term, stating, “Unfortunately, the crime Ms. Bradburn decided to start her criminal history with is the most significant and serious that we have.”[1][5]
Bradburn appeared bald-headed and smiled as prosecutors recounted her preparations, including the home practice sessions. She declined to speak at sentencing. A lifetime no-contact order barred her from her brother, Trace Bradburn, and she owed over $4,500 in restitution. Trace delivered a poignant impact statement, defending his father’s character: “My dad was an amazing man, and he never did anything to hurt anyone… so that, it just breaks my heart.”[2]
Key Takeaways
- Premeditated patricide planned over three weeks with journaling and target practice.
- Four shots fired in ambush; immediate confession followed.
- 28-year sentence reflects crime’s gravity despite mental health arguments.
The case leaves a fractured family in its wake, with no sentence able to restore Timothy Bradburn’s life or mend the profound loss felt by his son. What do you think about the role of mental health in such premeditated crimes? Tell us in the comments.
