What began as a missing-person search for a Joint Base Lewis-McChord veteran has shifted into a homicide investigation, with two people now booked into the Pierce County Jail on suspicion of murder. Lakewood police and family members identified the missing man as 28-year-old Caelick Bradley, who was last seen on June 8.
According to detectives, a male suspect led officers to the location of a body and told investigators the female suspect had killed Bradley, and that he later used Bradley’s credit card, KING 5 reports. Both suspects were booked into the Pierce County Jail on suspicion of murder while detectives continue interviews and forensic work.
Family Pleas And Local Search
Family members and friends pushed out missing-person posts and a fundraiser after Bradley disappeared. A public thread on Reddit listed the case number 26-163-00313 and said he was last seen near Madigan Army Medical Center. Community posts urged anyone with information to contact law enforcement. Tacoma Police list their non-emergency line at (253) 287-4455 for tips and information.
Military Background Reported By Family Fundraiser
A family GoFundMe, as reported by KING 5, says Bradley served with B Company, 2-158 Aviation Battalion and the 160th SOAR while stationed at JBLM from 2017 to 2023, and that he had been planning a cross-country drive to Virginia. The fundraiser and family posts say they have strong reason to believe Bradley never left the Tacoma area, the report adds.
Investigation Status And Next Steps
Detectives say the investigation remains active as they complete searches and forensic testing. The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office will handle formal identification of the body and determinations about cause and manner of death, according to the county’s public releases. The two suspects remain in custody at the Pierce County Jail in Tacoma while prosecutors review the investigation. The county posts information about its jail facilities and medical-examiner releases online.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tacoma Police non-emergency line at (253) 287-4455 or Lakewood police through their official channels. As with any active homicide probe, arrests at this stage are bookings on suspicion, and prosecutors will decide whether to file formal charges after reviewing the evidence and the medical examiner’s findings.
