Teresa Bradford told by police to shower after near-fatal strangulation by estranged husband

After Teresa Bradford was murdered in her bed at her Pimpama home, neighbours made a disturbing find. It was a notebook, written by her estranged husband. This is what it said.

TERESA Bradford felt mistreated by police when they told her to shower to remove her own urine and faeces after she had been strangled to unconsciousness by her estranged husband.

He was taken to hospital. She was not, despite suffering dizziness and shock.

Two months later – on January 31, 2017 – the mother of four was murdered in her Pimpama bed with a tomahawk. Neighbours would find a notebook left by David Bradford after the killing. It read:

“I sat in a cell regretting not what I did but why I stopped – should have planted a tomahawk in her spine …

“And if this gets read by a coroner – the systems f***ed but it won’t change.”

Teresa Bradford was murdered in her Pimpama home by her estranged husband. Picture: Supplied

Bradford also wrote that Teresa “played a very active role”, “pushed all the buttons and waited for me to implode tick tick”.

The revelations were part of a damning report by deputy state coroner Jane Bentley into Ms Bradford’s death. Other findings include:

● Bradford played down the strangulation on November 28, 2016 and was initially charged with common assault.

● A staff member at her children’s school saw the “state she was in” and took her to the guidance counsellor who helped her contact DV Connect.

● Teresa had to take herself to hospital that day.

● Court staff referred Teresa to police for the strangulation to be taken seriously and the charges upgraded.

Teresa Bradford was not taken to hospital after near fatal strangulation two months before her murder.

● Teresa believed Bradford was trying to kill her the day he strangled her as he made sure the children were out of the house, locked all exits and had prepared lengths of rope and other weapons.

● She was not informed of Bradford’s release from a mental health unit after the strangulation and only knew he was out when he tried to stop her from going into court the day of a domestic violence order hearing.

● The hospital spoke to Teresa’s 12-year-old daughter when they could not locate Bradford.

● Teresa was not informed at Bradford’s release on bail on January 13.

● After the near-fatal strangulation, Bradford’s mental health treating team requested Teresa attend a face-to-face family meeting with Bradford to “clear the air”.

● They also prioritised Bradford’s mental health over Teresa’s physical injuries.

● There was a degree of victim blaming in court proceedings when Bradford’s defence questioned Teresa’s version of events and accused her of “embellishing” the assault.

● Bradford bought the tomahawk from Bunnings in Oxenford a day before killing Teresa.

Coroner Bentley’s report details how Teresa was in contact with six separate domestic violence and support services in the months leading up to her murder.

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Despite this, she reported feeling “in the dark”, unsafe and frustrated with the system.

Coroner Bentley said there were examples of a high level of support but also examples of poor responses.

Teresa Bradford felt “in the dark” and unsafe despite seeking help from six different support services. Picture: Facebook

“The support services were insufficient to protect her from Mr Bradford as was the domestic violence protection order which was in force,” she said.

“A more integrated approach may have made a difference to the tragic outcome. However, it is unlikely to have done so.”

Teresa had initially requested help moving home, but declined when a two-bedroom unit was found for her and her four children.

Police at the scene after Teresa Bradford was murdered. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

Just five days before her death she declined accommodation help from DV Connect, saying she was feeling good and focused on her future which included moving into a place of her own.

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The coroner’s report also details how Bradford had been prone to sexual jealousy, had isolated Teresa from her family and was angry that she was working and studying to become a nurse.

Teresa had described him as being “emotionally abusive, jealous and controlling”.

Bradford had a stroke in 2015, leaving Teresa to be his carer. His behaviour reportedly became worse after multiple strokes.