Washington Woman Sentenced for Father’s Murder

A woman from Washington state has been sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison for the murder of her father, a crime that prosecutors indicated involved weeks of planning.

Alyssa Bradburn, 33, received a 340-month sentence in Spokane County Superior Court after being found guilty of first-degree murder along with a firearm enhancement relating to the 2024 killing of her father, Timothy Bradburn.

This nearly 28-year sentence came about a month after the jury’s guilty verdict. Throughout the trial, Bradburn reportedly displayed minimal emotion, often appearing calm and even smiling occasionally. During her testimony, she oddly mentioned she “enjoyed” the trial process but felt she deserved punishment and was ready to accept the outcome.

In a rather chilling moment during the trial, she stated, “I killed Tim Bradburn. I’m guilty,” while smiling. She added, “I’m not scared anymore. I don’t care how much time I go to prison.”

On June 25, 2024, Bradburn called 911 to claim she had shot her father when he returned home from a Hawaii trip. She reported that he was on the front porch of her northwestern Spokane home and that she would be waiting outside for the police.

Investigators revealed that Timothy Bradburn was ambushed as he was trying to enter the house with his suitcase and keys. Alyssa claimed she shot him three times—twice in the chest and once in the head—and while an autopsy showed he had been shot four times, prosecutors maintained that the act was premeditated.

Evidence suggested she planned the murder weeks in advance, including practicing with a gun and documenting her intentions in a diary. “The evidence…showed a very detailed plan,” Deputy Prosecutor Emily Sullivan noted.

Initially, Bradburn alleged that her father had abused both her and her dog, claiming self-defense; however, she later retracted these accusations. At the sentencing, her brother, Trace Bradburn, spoke about the profound impact of the loss, asserting that their father was a kind and wonderful man.

He added, “His memory has been deeply scarred by the false accusations against him,” expressing disgust at the situation. Prosecutors sought a heavier sentence of 320 months due to the nature of the crime and its planning, but Bradburn’s attorney argued for leniency, citing her lack of criminal history and mental health issues that caused her to struggle with distinguishing reality from fantasy.

Ultimately, Judge Julie McKay delivered a medium sentence of 340 months—280 months for murder plus a 60-month firearms enhancement. She acknowledged the family’s sorrow, stating that no verdict could remedy their loss. In addition to prison time, Bradburn will face 36 months of community supervision, have to pay restitution linked to her father’s death, and be permanently barred from contacting her brother.