Sussex County, DE– Delaware State Police conduct an in-custody death investigation.

On March 9, 2022, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Delaware State Police Detectives responded to the Bait and Tackle Shop at the Indian River Inlet located at 25012 Coastal Hwy, attempting to contact Stanley Bradley, 72, Milton, after receiving information he may be at the business hanging out. Bradley was wanted on an outstanding warrant for Rape 2nd Degree (Felony). As detectives pulled into the parking lot, Bradley was observed exiting the business. Contact was made with Bradley, who was very cooperative and was taken into custody without incident. He was placed in the front seat of the detectives’ divisionally issued Ford Taurus, with one of the detectives sitting in the backseat and the other driving. As the vehicle was traveling to Delaware State Police Troop 3 on Coastal Hwy in the area of Johnson Road., Bradley requested the detectives pull over because he thought he was suffering from a medical event. Detectives immediately pulled over, and both exited the vehicle to check on Bradley, who was now unconscious. One detective immediately contacted 9-1-1 to request medical assistance as the other began performing CPR. Life-saving measures were performed until EMS arrived, who continued CPR before transporting Bradley to the Bayhealth Sussex Campus. Bradley was stabilized and transported to Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus, where he died at approximately 6:00 p.m. The investigation revealed Bradley had a long medical history and had been hospitalized multiple times during the last year for cardiac issues. Bradley was turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science for an autopsy to be performed. On March 10, 2022, the Medical Examiner ruled Stanley Bradley died from natural causes pending a toxicology examination. There was nothing suspicious and no signs of trauma found during the investigation. 

This case remains pending active by the Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit pending the toxicology results.

Due to the sensitive nature of the charges Bradley was wanted for, no information will be released regarding the case.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 031022 1602

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