Mystery deepens after arrest in murder of ‘Porky’ Bradberry
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - A suspect has been arrested in an Aiken murder case that left a 78-year-old jewelry store owner dead.
Officials say at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, officers responded to the 900 block of Brookhaven Drive for a report of a possible burglary.
The Aiken County Coroner’s Office said Swint E. “Porky” Bradberry Jr. was found dead inside the home.
The Aiken Department of Public Safety said Wednesday that detectives identified and arrested 27-year-old Alexander Boone, of Aiken, on a charge of first-degree murder.
The murder suspect hit the victim in the head multiple times with an unknown object and took his orthotic shoes and Only jacket with the dry cleaning receipt still attached, according to the arrest warrant.
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Now, a new closed sign greets shocked customers at Bradberry’s store off of Whiskey Road.
It’s a death for a family that’s been around for decades.
“I come here and just sit and chat with them and see how things are going,” said Kelly Freman, a family friend and regular at the store.
Freman started coming by Bradberry’s three years ago. While she was sick with COVID, she says she lost her wedding ring and Porky made that loss better with his kindness.
“Everything we buy has a story behind it,” said Freman. “All of them are in our prayers.”
Authorities said they would be trying to identify any kind of further motive or any potential connections, between the suspect and victim.
Anyone with information is urged to call Aiken Department of Public Safety at 803-642-7620 or submit an anonymous online tip at cityofaikensc.gov.
An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday in Newberry.
Bradberry is now among more than 100 lost in the past year and a half to an outbreak of violence in the past year and a half across the CSRA.
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