A Texas man will now spend decades in prison after a jury found him guilty of murdering the mother of his children and then allegedly trying to cover up the crime by removing his truck’s GPS system.
Prosecutors say surveillance footage, witness testimony, and physical evidence helped investigators uncover the truth nearly a year after the victim’s body was found near railroad tracks. The heartbreaking case has brought some closure to the victim’s family after a long and painful investigation.
Texas Man Found Guilty of Murdering Mother of His Children
A Texas jury has convicted 47-year-old Derek Lennon Bradley for the murder of 38-year-old Casie Lynn Graves.
On Tuesday, jurors in Orange County found Bradley guilty of murder. Shortly after the verdict, the same jury sentenced him to 30 years in prison.
The conviction comes after a detailed investigation into Graves’ death in September 2023.
Authorities say Bradley murdered Graves, who was the mother of two of his children, and later tried to hide his involvement.
Victim’s Body Found Near Railroad Tracks
The case began on September 16, 2023, when an employee arriving for work at the former International Paper facility on Old Highway 87 made a horrifying discovery.
Just before 3:45 p.m., the worker found a woman’s body near railroad tracks in Orange, Texas.
Investigators from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office quickly arrived at the scene.
Authorities soon identified the victim as Casie Lynn Graves.
According to the medical examiner, Graves died from strangulation.
Casie Graves Was a Mother of Four
Casie Lynn Graves was a mother of four children.
She shared two young daughters with Bradley.
At the time of her death, both girls were reportedly under six years old.
Family members described the loss as devastating and said they spent months waiting for justice.
Graves’ brother previously described the killer as:
“ As close to a monster on this earth as you can be.”
Her mother also spoke publicly about the emotional pain caused by her daughter’s death.
Surveillance Footage Became Key Evidence
During the investigation, authorities reviewed surveillance footage connected to Bradley’s movements on the night of the murder.
According to prosecutors, the footage showed Bradley’s truck:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 12:30 a.m. | Truck left Bradley’s home |
| Shortly after | Vehicle traveled toward railroad tracks |
| 12:57 a.m. | Truck returned home |
Prosecutors argued that this timeline directly connected Bradley to the crime scene.
The surveillance evidence became one of the strongest parts of the prosecution’s case.
Grand Jury Indicted Bradley in 2024
Although the murder happened in September 2023, investigators spent months building the case.
On September 18, 2024, a grand jury reviewed the evidence against Bradley.
The grand jury issued an indictment.
Bradley was arrested the very next day.
Family members said the arrest brought some relief but did not fully ease their pain.
Prosecutors Say Bradley Tried to Remove Truck GPS
One of the most damaging pieces of evidence presented during trial involved Bradley’s truck.
During the six-day trial, prosecutors told jurors that Bradley later contacted a mechanic and asked for the GPS tracking system to be removed from his vehicle.
Investigators believe this was an attempt to hide location data connected to the murder.
This action raised major suspicions and helped investigators focus more closely on Bradley.
Search Warrants Uncovered More Evidence
After learning about the GPS removal attempt, investigators obtained search warrants for:
- Bradley’s home
- His truck
- Related electronic and physical evidence
According to prosecutors, evidence collected during those searches, combined with:
- Surveillance footage
- Witness interviews
- Vehicle data
- Testimony during trial
helped secure the murder conviction.
Jury Sentences Bradley to 30 Years in Prison
After hearing six days of testimony and reviewing the evidence, the Orange County jury found Bradley guilty of murder.
The jury then sentenced him to 30 years behind bars.
The conviction marks the end of a long investigation and trial that deeply impacted Graves’ family and loved ones.
