TN TN - Shelia Faye Bradford, 33, Camden, Benton County, 21 Sep 1992

[cybervampira]

Was Shelia Bradford killed to cover up a double murder?

In January 1991, a young couple was murdered and the house where the crime occurred was burned to the ground in Benton County, Tenn.

Investigators spent more than a year on a task force trying to track down the killer or killers when they thought they had found their key witness.

But the day after they spoke with her she disappeared and more than 25 years later, no trace of her has been found.

The witness was Shelia Bradford, who disappeared Sept. 21, 1992, a few days after talking with law enforcement about her boyfriend JC Bruce and his family's penchant for crime.

Bruce and his three brothers were suspected of killing Danny Vine, a mussel shell buyer, and his fiancee Della Thornton in order to steal a truckload of mussel shells.

Shelia had been living with Bruce and told officials from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Benton County Sheriff's Office she knew who committed the double murder.

The Victim
Shelia Bradford (pictured above with her ex-husband and children) was a 33-year-old mother of three when she disappeared.

According to the Facebook page "Shelia Bradford Missing," she was the daughter of Shirley and the late Paul Grooms, had two brothers and two sisters, and had been married to Jackie Bradford Sr. for 14 years before they divorced.

Her daughter Kristie Bradford Petz, who maintains the page, wrote her mother now has eight grandchildren, who will never meet her.

Petz also said she has "been searching for answers for years. If you know anything about my (mother's) disappearance please call law enforcement in your area."

FERRIER FILES: Woman asks for help and disappears: The cold case of Sheila Bradford

The Doe Network: Case File 3073DFTN

 

[CastlesBurning]

Bumping as we pass the 28th anniversary...

 

[mlhenn]

$10K reward offered for information on Middle Tennessee woman missing since 1992

State officials are offering a $10,000 reward for information on a Middle Tennessee woman who disappeared 28 years ago.


Sheila Bradford, of Benton County, went missing on Sept. 22, 1992.

Before her disappearance, special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation say Bradford contacted law enforcement about providing information on her boyfriend's family's involvement in a 1991 double killing of Danny Vine and Della Thorton, also of Benton County.

Four people were ultimately convicted in federal court for the murders: Gary Bruce, Jerry Bruce, Robert Bruce, and David Riles.

Gov. Bill Lee announced on Tuesday a $10,000 reward is being offered for information on Bradford's disappearance.

 

[Al Ka]

Adding extra photos

(click on image to enlarge)

$10K reward offered for information on Middle Tennessee woman missing since 1992

 

[CastlesBurning]

Shelia Faye Bradford – The Charley Project

 

[Cimatico]

Enhanced images from source Shelia Faye Bradford – The Charley Project

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Bradford’s daughter, Kristie, remembers going with her mom to meet with TBI agents and the local Sheriff in Benton County. Kristie Bradford was a 15-year-old at the time.

“I remember her asking for help from law enforcement to protect her. And when they didn’t, she asked what did he have to do, kill her first?” Kristie Bradford said.

Kristie said that cry for help from her mother was to keep her safe from her ex-boyfriend J.C. Bruce.

“It was, according to what I’ve been told, mentioned at that meeting at the restaurant between Sheila Bradford and the TBI and the other law enforcement, there was discussion of the acts of domestic abuse,” Stowe said.

Domestic problems Kristie Bradford said she remembers clearly. “If you’re a part of a domestic violence relationship, then seek help,” Kristie Bradford said. “Get family members and friends to be with you at all times until the situation is resolved. Do whatever’s necessary to protect yourself and your children. Because the end result is death. A lot of the cases, it’s death.”

“Sheila Bradford, when she went to that meeting, she was scared to death for her safety, and she wanted protection from the TBI. And after there was an explosion outside the restaurant, she lost confidence in the ability of law enforcement to protect her,” Stowe said.

“I never thought I’d work for law enforcement because I felt like they let her down back in 1992. But becoming part of law enforcement, I feel like I’m there, and that I make a big difference, and I can help the officers to understand the victims’ family’s side,” Kristie Bradford said. “And that helps me to move on. It helps me to go forward. But, I’ll never stop fighting.”

To help solve the case, Stowe has secured a $10,000 reward from Governor Bill Lee for information leading to an arrest in Bradford’s murder. Something the community has matched, bringing the reward up to $20,000.

“We are not going to stop the investigation until we have closed this case. We are going to bring closure to Kristie Bradford and the other folks who have been affected by this crime,” Stowe said.

Tips can be made by calling 1800-TBI-FIND. Law enforcement wants to assure the public their safety is top priority, and any callers can remain anonymous.
Will Sheila Bradford ever be found? New search efforts nearly 3 decades later | WKRN News 2

 

[alb1on]

This is one of those cases where, although the Bruce's (except JC) ended up getting life without parole, justice would have required one more defendant - Ray Blanton, the former Governor of Tennessee, who sold a pardon to JC Bruce for a previous rape and attempted murder, enabling him to be free to commit more crimes. Blanton was still alive in 1991 and was directly responsible for this case. (JC, in this case, did a deal and got a lesser sentence on reduced charges).

 

[MajorHoople]

Ray Blanton was really something. He was removed from office in disgrace.

https://www.tennessean.com/story/ne...then-ray-blanton-governor-tennessee/21803429/

"Some of the country music stars were a big help to Blanton in his run for governor. Dottie West wrote and recorded the song "We Need a Ray of Blanton Sunshine," which was Blanton's official campaign song. George Jones and Tammy Wynette held a party in his honor at their home. Brenda Lee, Jerry Clower and Wynette were headline performers at his inaugural gala. Lynn Anderson sang the national anthem at the beginning of Blanton's swearing-in ceremonies. Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass entertained guests at the inaugural ball."

 

[MajorHoople]

This is one of those cases where, although the Bruce's (except JC) ended up getting life without parole, justice would have required one more defendant - Ray Blanton, the former Governor of Tennessee, who sold a pardon to JC Bruce for a previous rape and attempted murder, enabling him to be free to commit more crimes. Blanton was still alive in 1991 and was directly responsible for this case. (JC, in this case, did a deal and got a lesser sentence on reduced charges).

"Pardon Me Ray"

 

[mioh]

Could the Ina Jane Doe be any connection? Found a straight shot up the highway from where Sheila went missing. Looks resemble as well. Do we know if Sheila had any skeletal abnormalities?

here is a link to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook where they just posted about Ina Doe yesterday https://www.facebook.com/jcso.il

 

[Rockfarmer]

Straight shot, yes, but for 3 hours/180 miles north.
Shelia went missing from Benton TN area, not Benton IL. I don't remember anything about her having wry neck.
Here is Ina Jane Doe's websleuths thread @mioh: IL - IL - Jefferson Co., Wht Fem Head 166UFIL, 30-50, wry neck syndrome, Jan'93
I'll be reading it with you.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Caring1]

 

[Caring1]

4 Unidentified Person Exclusions

Looks like auto rule outs (VA)

 

[Caring1]

Unidentified female found 12/24/93 in Nolan County, TX has some similarities to Shelia Bradford.

Estimated height 5’0”-5’3”
Estimated age range 22-30
Estimated PMI 1993-1994 (I believe that was an error and should be 1992-1993 since she was found in 1993)
Brown Hair

 

[Pennysmom1]

Feb 10, 2025

Still Missing: What Happened to Shelia Bradford? - WBBJ TV

A West TN woman disappears after giving police information on a murder. More than three decades later, Shelia Bradford is still missing.

www.wbbjtv.com