‘He was Sam’s only friend’: Man accused of killing best friend whose headless body was found in desert town

An Arizona man faces charges after the headless body of his best friend was found in Gila Bend outside of Phoenix days after the victim was reported missing by family members.

Samuel Bush, 23, was in custody in connection with the death of Alijah Bradley, 24, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

The case came to light when Bradley missed work and was reported missing on Aug. 15, days after his birthday. His family said his phone last pinged to Bush’s apartment, according to independent Phoenix-based TV station KTVK and local CBS affiliate KPHO, which collectively broadcast together as “Arizona’s Family.”

The family said Bush told them he didn’t know where Bradley was. The family got the GPS coordinates of Bradley’s car, which tracked it to “the middle of nowhere,” a close relative of the victim, who asked to remain anonymous, told the outlet.

Bradley’s headless body was found near Gila Bend on Aug. 19.

“I was told his cause of death was getting shot in the back and that they found him without his head,” the relative said. “And something so cruel and so graphic, like it’s almost crazy to think that somebody is capable of doing that.”

She was at a loss to explain why it could have happened.

“He was Sam’s best friend,” she told the station. “He was Sam’s only friend.”

Bush was arrested the following day on marijuana and mushroom growing and distribution charges. Authorities added second-degree murder and concealing body parts charges on Wednesday, officials said.

Bradley worked as an engineer and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University, his LinkedIn page said. His GoFundMe page said his death has “left a profound void in the lives of his family and friends.”

“Alijah was known for his free spirit and wild soul, and his loss is deeply felt by all who knew him,” the page said.

His mother said in a statement posted by local ABC affiliate KNXV, “Alijah loved the outdoors, the sunshine, and had the best personality the world will never experience His kindness again.

“He was my everything,” she added. “It is inconceivable to me that I have to wake up every day to a world without Alijah … I’m committing my life to obtaining justice for my son.”

Bush is being held at the Maricopa County Jail with bail set at $1.5 million. He’s set to appear in court on Tuesday, online booking records show.

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]