EX-SOLDIER CONFESSES TO BRUTAL FAMILY MURDERS AFTER MENTAL HEALTH DESCENT
An ex-soldier, David Bradley, 41, carried out a brutal killing spree that resulted in the deaths of four family members: his aunt, uncle, and two cousins.The murders happened after he had been suffering from mental health issues linked to long-term cannabis abuse and prior military service.
Bradley meticulously executed each victim — shooting his cousin Keith once in the head, then his uncle Peter, and finally his aunt Josie upon her return home.
He also shot Glen, the family’s son, in the face while he was on the verge of leaving the house.
After the killings, Bradley calmly went to a police station in Newcastle, where he surrendered himself and confessed, handing over weapons including a pump-action shotgun, a knife, a nail bomb, and over 400 rounds of ammunition.
The incident occurred in July last year and was detailed in court, where Bradley pleaded guilty to four counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, citing depression and cannabis use as factors that affected his mental state.
His mental health issues were documented, with psychiatric reports suggesting lifelong mental illness such as schizophrenia or post-traumatic stress disorder, possibly worsened by his severe drug use.
The judge adjourned the sentencing for further psychiatric evaluation, and the NHS announced investigations into Bradley’s medical treatment.
His family highlighted their efforts to seek help from the Ministry of Defence, which they were told would not get involved, despite repeated pleas.
The Court and psychiatric assessments recognized Bradley's complex mental health situation, and his history included a decorated military career with service in the Gulf War, Bosnia, and Northern Ireland, before he left the Army and developed obsessive gun habits and depression.
