A Wisconsin man who spent nearly a decade living free after his young wife died from a gunshot wound is now facing a reckless homicide charge — after forensic evidence contradicted his story that she took her own life.
James Radford, 40, of Fairbanks, Wisconsin, was arrested on April 11, 2025 — exactly nine years after the death of his wife, Sabrina Radford, 25. He has been held in Shawano County Jail on $800,000 bond and has pleaded not guilty.
What James Radford Told Police
On the night of April 11, 2016, James Radford called police and told them that he and Sabrina had argued after he confronted her about alleged infidelity. He claimed that when he threatened to file for divorce, Sabrina picked up a gun with both hands and fired a fatal shot into her own chest.
Investigators initially appeared to accept his account. Sabrina Radford was ruled a suicide victim. The couple’s young daughter was left without her mother — and James Radford launched a GoFundMe for funeral expenses, writing publicly that one can “never be prepared” when someone is taken so tragically.
What the Evidence Revealed
Nearly a decade later, the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office reopened the case using advanced forensic tools and expert witnesses. What they found told a very different story.
Investigators determined there was no blood or blowback evidence on the gun’s muzzle — evidence that would have been present if Sabrina had held the barrel against her own chest and fired. Critically, Sabrina was also found to be holding her phone at the time of her death, raising serious doubts about whether she could have fired the weapon at all.
Authorities concluded that Sabrina Radford’s death was not a suicide.
What Comes Next
James Radford is scheduled to appear in court on August 6. He faces a reckless homicide charge with a deadly weapon modifier.
Sabrina Radford was 25 years old. She left behind a daughter.