Christe Chen and Bradley Robert Dawson had a whirlwind romance before tying the knot – just three months after they first met – but their honeymoon ended in unimaginable tragedy
Christe Chen was the picture of happiness in her stunning white wedding dress as she smiled at her new husband Bradley Robert Dawson on their wedding day in February 2022. The cosy ceremony, attended by close family and friends, marked the end of their whirlwind love story.
However, their romance was caught short quickly when tragedy struck on their honeymoon when a brutal murder back in their villa left fellow islanders shocked. Some cited unusual things they had noticed in hindsight but it was new groom Dawson’s wild explanation that truly left authorities in shock.
The loved-up pair first met in November 2021 and said their vows just three months later, shortly after Dawson, then 38, had finalised his divorce from his first wife. Some relatives met Dawson for the first time on the big day itself.
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After the wedding, the newlyweds moved into their new home in Memphis, Tennessee, looking forward to their luxury honeymoon planned for later that year.
Before moving to Memphis for university, Christe, 36, owned a successful bakery in Colorado. After finishing her pharmacy degree, she started working at a supermarket pharmacy.
Meanwhile, Dawson worked in the IT department of a children’s non-profit welfare charity.
Although some were surprised at the quick pace of their relationship, those close to Christe knew about her desire to get married and have a family. They simply hoped that she had found her soulmate.
Indeed, the couple seemed completely smitten with each other. In July 2022, they set off on their honeymoon, a generous present from Christe’s parents.
The couple had selected the South Pacific paradise of Fiji as their destination. Dawson had previously wed his first wife there in 2019, and Christe had been there with her parents.
They had booked a stay at the opulent Turtle Island resort, nestled on an exclusive private 500-acre island in the Yasawa archipelago.
This dreamy location was featured in the 1980 film The Blue Lagoon, starring Brooke Shields. It’s also where pop sensation Britney Spears and her ex-husband Kevin Federline decided to spend their honeymoon in 2004.
The secluded, adults-only hotel, with a hefty price tag of $3,500 per night, only hosts 14 couples at a time in villas just a pebble’s throw from the crystal-clear waters and immaculate white sands. Guests typically arrive by seaplane and can enjoy luxuries such as personal chefs and butlers.
After spending two days there, staff noticed on 9 July that Christe and Dawson hadn’t turned up for breakfast or lunch.
Later in the afternoon, a staff member went to their villa and made a horrifying discovery. They found Christe’s lifeless body in the bathroom, slumped in the small space between the toilet and the wall. The cistern lid was shattered.
Christe was discovered covered in blood, suffering from multiple injuries, including blunt force trauma to the head and lacerations to the face. Dawson had disappeared, seemingly making his getaway.
Other guests reported that they had noticed strange things between the two. The couple had been at an evening event the previous night where they had been drinking and they they were also seen arguing as they left. Disturbing noises were later heard coming from their villa.
Police discovered that Dawson had taken a kayak and managed to reach another island a mile away. He was subsequently apprehended.
Officers found he had his passport, cash and personal belongings with him, leading them to believe he was attempting to flee the scene.
Following his arrest, authorities discovered a dead body in the bathroom. They found Christe’s lifeless body in the bathroom, collapsed in the small space between the toilet and the wall. The cistern lid was broken.
Christe was again found covered in blood, with multiple injuries, including blunt force trauma to the head and facial lacerations. Dawson was nowhere to be found.
Other guests reiterated that the couple had attended an evening event the night before, where they had been drinking and were seen arguing upon departure. Loud noises were later reported coming from their villa.
The police discovered Dawson had taken a kayak and successfully reached another island a mile away. He was apprehended once more.
Officers found that he had his passport, cash and personal belongings in his possession, confirming their suspicions that he had been trying to escape the scene.
Following his arrest, authorities initially believed the report of her death was a cruel hoax. However, when they discovered the horrifying truth, they immediately flew to Fiji.
Adding to their distress, Christe’s body was so badly damaged that it couldn’t be embalmed for transport back to the US, leading to her cremation in Fiji.
The trial unfolded in Fiji come December 2024, with Dawson claiming he’d taken the kayak to a neighbouring island to give his wife some “cooling off” period post-row.
Prosecutors countered, saying he’d stashed personal items intending to bolt, ditching his GPS watch and mobile to dodge tracking.
The defence fought back, denying any solid proof of Dawson offing his missus, insisting he wasn’t legging it either. They chalked the tragedy up to pure mishap.
Yet after a week in court, he was given a murder conviction.
The judge held firm, convinced Dawson did the foul deed, declaring no one else could have. “Having considered all the evidence in its totality, I am of the opinion that the prosecution has proved the charge of murder against the accused beyond reasonable doubt,” he delivered.
Dawson’s now saddled with a life sentence as of February, cut the Fijian way to serve a minimum of 18 years before clemency’s a shout. The judge was having none of it, reaming him out: “Your conduct after the incident was appalling, then laying into him more: “Having inflicted serious and life-threatening injuries to the deceased, you fled the scene of the crime, leaving the deceased alone and helpless in your bure.”
In a chilling turn of events, Christe was brutally murdered by the very man who had vowed to love and cherish her just months prior. Her dreams were tragically snuffed out in what should have been paradise, where she thought her life was just taking off.
