A Louisiana man is facing a second-degree murder charge after authorities allege he killed his wife during an argument and then drove nearly 400 miles across state lines with her body in the passenger seat of his vehicle.
Tyronne Brazille, 50, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was arrested in Memphis, Tennessee, after police reportedly stopped his vehicle for a traffic violation and discovered his wife, Lanessa Bradford, 50, deceased inside. Bradford had suffered a gunshot wound, according to authorities.
Investigators allege the incident began at Independence Community Park in Baton Rouge, where Brazille and Bradford were involved in an argument. Rather than contacting authorities after the shooting, Brazille allegedly placed Bradford’s body in the passenger seat and began driving north.
The drive reportedly took him through Mississippi before ending in Memphis, roughly 400 miles from Baton Rouge. Memphis police discovered Bradford’s body during the traffic stop and Brazille was subsequently taken into custody as a fugitive. He is expected to face extradition proceedings in Tennessee before being returned to Louisiana.
Wife Reportedly Planned to Leave
Bradford’s longtime friend, Shelicka Decker, told WREG that Bradford had recently been planning to leave her husband because of difficulties in their relationship.
According to Decker, Bradford had saved money, developed a plan to leave and had been communicating with family members outside the area. Decker also alleged that Brazille had previously made threats against himself or his wife when Bradford discussed leaving.
Bradford worked at an elementary school in Baton Rouge. Concern grew among her colleagues after she failed to report to work for several days. A welfare check was ultimately requested, according to reports.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.
Brazille has been accused of second-degree murder. An accusation is not a conviction, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The case has also drawn attention to the continuing problem of intimate-partner violence. According to data cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of female homicide victims in the United States are killed by current or former male intimate partners. Louisiana health officials have likewise identified intimate-partner violence as a significant public-health concern.
