A man from Tennessee, Bradley Robert Dawson, 41, has been found guilty of murdering his wife, Christe Chen, while they were on their honeymoon in Fiji. The tragic incident took place in July 2022 at the luxurious Turtle Island resort, just two days into their trip. The couple had only been married for five months before the shocking crime.
Christe Chen, 36, was found dead in their hotel bathroom, her body slumped against a broken toilet, with one arm submerged in the water tank. The scene was covered in blood, revealing the brutality of the attack. Hotel staff made the grim discovery after a guest reported loud noises coming from the couple’s room.
What Happened That Night?
According to reports, Dawson and Chen had been arguing the night before. Guests at the resort mentioned hearing loud banging sounds from their room. When the couple failed to show up for breakfast and lunch the next day, hotel staff grew concerned. A cleaner was eventually sent to check on them, despite the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door. Inside, they found a horrifying scene. Blood splatters covered the bathroom walls, and Chen’s lifeless body was surrounded by broken glass.
Dawson later tried to claim that his wife was very drunk and had fallen during their argument. However, the court rejected his statement after an autopsy confirmed that Chen suffered multiple injuries, including a deep wound on her back. The court ruled that she had been punched several times during the attack.
Justice for Christe Chen
Dawson received a mandatory life sentence, with the possibility of parole after serving 18 years. Justice Riyaz Hamza, who presided over the case, stated that what should have been a joyful honeymoon turned into a nightmare for Chen and her family.
Chen’s mother, Xiao Wei Liu, expressed her deep grief in a statement, saying, “No mother should have to know this is how her daughter’s life ended, at the hands of the person who vowed to love her.” She hoped Dawson would spend the rest of his life in misery and regret.
Christe Chen was an award-winning pharmaceutical scientist who worked as a pharmacist in Memphis. Her tragic death shocked her colleagues, friends, and family, who remember her as a kind and intelligent woman dedicated to helping others.
Dawson now faces life in prison for his crime, and the tragic case serves as a reminder of how domestic violence can turn deadly.
