Newly released court documents have shed light on the brutal killing of a young Gilbert man whose disappearance last summer shocked his family and friends.
Alijah Bradley, 24, was a recent graduate of Northern Arizona University and was working as a project engineer in the Valley. He was reported missing in mid-August 2024 after failing to show up for work, something his family said was highly unusual. His mother also grew alarmed when she could not reach him by phone.
According to relatives, Bradley’s mother used the Life360 app to track his device, which had been powered off. Its last known location pointed to an apartment in Gilbert belonging to his longtime friend, 23-year-old Samuel Stephen Bush. When confronted, Bush allegedly denied knowing anything about Bradley’s disappearance.
Determined to find answers, the family turned to Toyota, Bradley’s car manufacturer, to request GPS data. The company provided coordinates that were shared with investigators. That information ultimately led police to a remote desert area near Gila Bend, where they discovered Bradley’s car and a gruesome crime scene, according to the Arizona Family
Grand jury documents filed in March allege that Bush shot Bradley in the back, killing him three days before his disappearance was reported. Prosecutors further claim that Bush then purchased a reciprocating saw from a home improvement store, using it to dismember Bradley’s body before leaving the remains in the desert.
Bush was taken into custody the following day, though he was initially booked only on drug-related offenses. Weeks later, investigators rebooked him on second-degree murder charges as evidence mounted. Earlier this year, a Maricopa County grand jury upgraded the charges, indicting him for first-degree murder, abandonment or concealment of a dead body, and tampering with physical evidence.
He is currently being held in jail on a $3.25 million cash-only bond, awaiting a trial scheduled for November. The motive behind the killing remains unclear. Authorities have not disclosed whether the two men had a recent dispute or whether other factors may have contributed.
Bradley’s family, meanwhile, has described him as hardworking and dedicated, a young man who had only recently launched his professional career. A since-disabled GoFundMe for funeral and other-related expenses describes Bradley, an engineer by training, as “a bright and beloved soul.”
Beloved by relatives and friends alike, Bradley’s death has left a painful void while his family continues to seek justice. The case has drawn widespread attention in Arizona, not only because of its brutality but also because of the involvement of a close friend now accused of such a shocking crime. The investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors prepare to present their case in court later this year.