JAMES OPELTON BRADLEY | The Bermuda Triangle of Death | Serial Killer Murdered His Stepdaughter (For Turning The TV Up Too Loud); Paroled After 23 Years, Then Murdered Two Women | Autographed Letter Signed

James O. Bradley. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Raleigh, NC. December 11, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED.

James Opelton Bradley

Early Life and Background

James Opelton Bradley was born on September 8, 1962. He served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant before becoming infamously known as a serial killer. His criminal activities began with the tragic murder of his stepdaughter, Ivy Gibson, in 1988.

First Murder: Ivy Gibson

In June 1988, Bradley reported that his 8-year-old stepdaughter, Ivy Gibson, had been kidnapped from her bus stop in Fayetteville, North Carolina. However, investigations revealed that he had staged this alleged crime to create the appearance of a struggle. Two days after reporting her missing, Bradley confessed to killing Ivy. He claimed that he became enraged when she woke him up by making the television too loud and subsequently choked her with a sock around her neck. After realizing she was dead, he attempted to conceal his crime by placing her body in a garbage bag and disposing of it at a local dump.

On January 22, 1990, Bradley pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a life sentence in prison. Since this crime occurred before the implementation of the North Carolina Structured Sentencing Act, there was a possibility for parole.

Life in Prison and Subsequent Murders

While incarcerated, Bradley wrote two short stories titled “The Beast Within” and “Serial Killer,” which depicted graphic violence against women. He was released on parole on February 11, 2013.

After his release, Bradley committed further crimes. On April 5, 2014, he murdered Shannon Rippy Van Newkirk just one day before her 54th birthday. She was reported missing shortly thereafter. During the investigation into Van Newkirk’s disappearance, police examined traffic camera footage and searched Bradley’s apartment and vehicle records.

Bradley initially provided inconsistent accounts regarding Van Newkirk’s whereabouts but eventually claimed they had an argument while driving and that she jumped out of his truck and ran away. On April 29, police discovered what they initially believed to be Van Newkirk’s body buried in a field; however, it turned out to be another victim – Elisha Tucker – who had been missing since August 2013.

Trial for Subsequent Murders

Bradley faced charges for both murders. He was first tried for Van Newkirk’s death on June 29, 2017; he was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to between approximately 30 years and over 37 years in prison. Prosecutors offered him a life sentence if he disclosed Van Newkirk’s body location; however, he refused.

On March 26, 2019, during his trial for Elisha Tucker’s murder, he was convicted of first-degree murder but spared the death penalty due to jury deadlock during sentencing discussions. Consequently, he received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

As of now, James Opelton Bradley is serving his sentence at Tabor City Correctional Institution in North Carolina.

VIDEO: Crimes of the Cape Fear: Serial killer James Bradley kills two Wilmington women | https://youtu.be/I12NTY6BVvc

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