A Louisiana man has been arrested in Memphis, Tennessee, on suspicion of killing his wife and transporting her body through multiple states. Tyronne Brazille, 50, was stopped by police on Thursday for a traffic violation, at which point officers discovered the body of his wife, Lanessa Bradford, 50, in the passenger seat of his vehicle. WREG reported that Bradford had a gunshot wound.
Investigators allege Brazille shot and killed Bradford during an argument at Independence Community Park in Baton Rouge. According to authorities, he then drove through several states with her body before being apprehended in Memphis. Brazille was taken into custody as a fugitive and is awaiting extradition to Louisiana, where he is expected to face a murder charge.
A friend of the victim, Shelicka Decker, told WREG that Bradford had been planning to leave Brazille. "She had the money saved up. She had come up with a plan, and she was going to just vanish," Decker said. "That was the only way she would be able to get away from him."
Decker also stated that Bradford had mentioned Brazille threatening to harm himself or her when she discussed leaving him, though Decker expressed surprise that he had allegedly killed his wife. "It surprised me that he killed her," Decker said. She noted that Brazille had not physically harmed Bradford until recently.
Bradford was employed at an elementary school in Baton Rouge, and school officials requested a welfare check at her home after she failed to appear for work for several days, leading to the discovery of her death. Decker described Bradford as a positive influence on many people and expressed condolences to both families and friends.
Brazille is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.