Cold Blooded Facts in The Randy Bratschi Murder Trial

 

Randy Bratschi was last seen by friends and family, alive, according to police reports leaving his job at Smurfit-Stone Container in Florence the morning of Nov. 26, 2004  On July 16, 2009 his skeletal remains were recovered in Coward, South Carolina.. 

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When Randy Bratschi’ disappeared, his wife Brenda Bratschi was out of jail on bond following an arrest for assault and battery with intent to kill in connection with serious assault against  her husband, Randy. For five years law enforcement searched for him.  Thousands of man power later including the CUE Center for Missing Persons, he was found.

In 2004, Brenda was accused of beating Randy Bratschi with a wooden club commonly used by truck drivers to strike the tires on 18-wheelers to check air pressure. 

Brenda Bratschi is currently on trial for his murder.  Yesterday, her defense attorney filed a motion asking the court to consider a directed verdict to acquit Brenda of the murder of her husband.  When the court reconvenes this morning the judge will decide the motion. 

The pattern of conduct in cases of men who stand trial and murder their wives; mirror’s those of women who kill.  Brenda Bratschi is no different, except she is a female. ;

Consider how and where Randy’s body was discovered.  Movers were transporting a trailer on property owned by Randy when he was alive.  Common sense says the body didn’t magically get buried by itself,  It was hidden in that  location by the killer.  The person who’d not banked on the fact the property would be sold and the trailer moved, Brenda Bratschi.  

The area where he dies was isolated, and on private property.  No one would able to see Brenda Bratschi burying Randy.  In addition, remember the judge’s order prohibiting her anywhere near him?  So when Brenda is questioned by detectives she gives the tired old response of “I don’t know where he could be,” followed by the shrug of both shoulders and of course, hiring a criminal defense attorney. 

Brenda Bratschi had already violated the order of protection secured by Randy twice.  There were 911 calls placed and in ever so clever killer form, the pattern of conduct was attempted by Brenda as she places one of the 911 calls claiming to be a victim of abuse.  But it doesn’t fly. Detectives don’t believe her, nor does the judge who’d issued the original court order of protection.

Randy Bratschi was ending his relationship with his violent, dangerous and abusive wife.  She’d become more violent as the couple ended their marriage.  Important to note: remember she was charged with assault and battery and an attempt to kill. These charges were open and pending when randy vanished of the face of the earth without a trace. Another common theme of intimate partner homicides; hide the body where you know and right under everyone's noses. This woman proves she’s no girl scout and in cases of intimate partner violence, there is never a next time for any victim.

This case isn’t about a judge and a courtroom sending a message.  This case is about justice for Randy Bratschi, age 54 who lost his life as a result of intimate partner homicide.  The jury can render justice in this case if they carefully review the facts and the pattern of conduct leading up to the murder. The defense attorney is doing his job for his client by creating doubt while trying to disarm a court and dilute the facts of premeditated cold blooded murder. 

Let’s pray the presiding judge denies the defense's motion and agrees to proceed with the trial. 

Susan Murphy Milano is a staff member of the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education as a educator and specialist with intimate partner violence prevention strategies directing prevention for high risk situations and cases.

 A national trainer to law enforcement, training officers, prosecutors, judges, legislators, social service providers, healthcare professionals, victim advocates and the faith based community and author.. In partnership with Management Resources Ltd. of New York addressing prevention and solutions within the community to the workplace. Host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show,"Time'sUp!" . She is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated "The Roth Show" with Dr Laurie Roth and a co-host onCrime Wire. Online contributions: Forbes : Crime, She Writes providing commentary about the hottest topics on crime, justice, and law from a woman’s perspective, as well as Time's Up! a blog which searches for solutions (SOS) for victims of crime Susan is also the daughter of a Chicago Violent Crimes detective who murdered her mother before committing suicide.  

Deborah Dill's Case: Keeping This Missing Mother in the Headlines

When Deborah Dill, 48, of Augusta, GA vanished into thin air on March 24, 2006, her husband, John, did not report her missing.

There is a common pattern of conduct in many intimate partner violence cases, especially when a violent relationship turns deadly. The last person known to have seen the victim will fabricate a story that may include saying, "I thought she left me" or, "she just took off." Individuals who are not able to peacefully walk away from a relationship are simply cowards without any regard for human life; they are extremely dangerous to others, especially when they suddenly resume former friendships and relationships.  

John Dill returned to his ex-wife and moved back in with her after Deborah was reported missing. The ex-wife was interviewed by law enforcement, but if she's in denial or fears for her own safety, she'd likely protect John, which translates into keeping her own self safe. Although the general public is unable to fathom why anyone would allow a person suspected of murder to live in the same home and sleep in the same bed with them, a victim's thoughts, unconscious or otherwise, are, "there but for the grace of God go I."

Police have only one main suspect and that is Deborah's husband, John Dill, a person of few words when it comes to cooperating with law enforcement. Since Deborah was reported missing, six weeks after March 24, by her adult daughter, Richmond County, GA Sheriff's department has been working the case to find her remains. On John Dill's home computer, investigated in 2006, law enforcement found search information regarding decomposition of a body both on land and water, along with how to outsmart lie detector tests.

Authorities are confident if they find the remains of Deborah Dill, an arrest is imminent because the DNA will hopefully tell the story. The story however, began as intimate violence cases do, both past and present; the person responsible believes they will never get caught and will get away with murder. Victims who are kept from family and friends over time, isolated, live and breath the toxic fumes of fear. Deborah Dill likely believed, as most do, her husband whom she at one time loved, would never be capable of taking her life. Sadly, no one ever does.

Investigators also point out that John and Deborah Dill had a heated relationship with reports of multiple domestic disputes, including death threats. There were even witnesses who saw them fighting the day she went missing six years ago.  

Deborah's family has erected billboards and kept her voice alive through the media with hope that someone will come forward with information. 

The family should also consider contacting  CUE Center for Missing Persons.  They are a national organization dedicated to assisting families, conducting searches, and spreading awareness with national attention for all cases when they are registered.  It doesn't matter how new or old a missing persons case might be, they handle each case and family with care.  I strongly urge the family to visit the CUE site at www.ncmissingpersons.org and register Deborah's case.

I also extend an invitation to Deborah Dill's family to contact me and consider highlighting Deborah's case on my radio shows. My email address is murphymilano@gmail.com.

All tips are kept confidential, if you know anything, please call the Richmond County Sheriff's Office at (706) 821-1080.

Susan Murphy Milano is a staff member of the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education as a educator and specialist with intimate partner violence prevention strategies directing prevention for high risk situations and cases.

 A national trainer to law enforcement, training officers, prosecutors, judges, legislators, social service providers, healthcare professionals, victim advocates and the faith based community and author.. In partnership with Management Resources Ltd. of New York addressing prevention and solutions within the community to the workplace. Host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show,"Time'sUp!" . She is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated "The Roth Show" with Dr Laurie Roth and a co-host onCrime Wire. Online contributions: Forbes : Crime, She Writes providing commentary about the hottest topics on crime, justice, and law from a woman’s perspective, as well as Time's Up! a blog which searches for solutions (SOS) for victims of crime.  

www.DocumentTheAbuse.com 

Lisa Shuttlesworth Aikens South Carolina: Missing and Victim of Intimate Partner Violence

[pictured left Robin Holley, Cue Supporter, Center is Lorraine Mabrey (lisa's mom) Susan and Krystina (Lisa's daughter)]

Lisa Shuttleworth, 34 the mother of two was supposed to pick up her son, Ryan, at the bus stop after school that afternoon, but in her stead an older family friend was there to meet him. Returning Ryan to his home, they found it locked and no sign of Lisa, although her car, along with a car she had borrowed, were still in her driveway. After Lisa’s parents were called they all entered the house and found no signs of struggle, and the only thing missing was her purse. It looked as if Lisa planned to return shortly, even a pot of tea was on the stove, her jewelry on the kitchen counter.

Lisa was a single mother, an excellent mother according to family sources, her two children knew they were loved, well taken care of, and that she would never leave them of her own free will. So what happened to Lisa?

This past weekend the CUE Center for Missing Persons, a national organizations that has been assisting families of missing persons since 1994, held their annual "Road To Remember Tour." Each year they go around the county highlighting and bringing attention to case's like Lisa Shuttleworth. This is one of the case's we will be featuring and working on in the coming weeks. In my opinion Lisa was a victim of Intimate partner violence resulting in homicide.

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance

# Missing Since: September 4, 2003 from Aiken County, South Carolina
# Classification: Missing
# Age: 34
# Height: 5'3"
# Weight: 102 lbs.
# Hair Color: Brown
# Eye Color: Blue
# Race: White
# Gender: Female

Details of Disappearance
On September 4, about 7:15am, Shuttleworth's 14-year-old daughter spoke with her mother by telephone from a friend's home. Lisa was scheduled to pick up her son from the bus stop Thursday afternoon, but never showed up.

Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Aiken County Sheriff's Office
(800) 922-9709

Susan Murphy Milano is a staff member of the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education as a educator and specialist with intimate partner violence prevention strategies directing prevention for high risk situations and cases.

A national trainer to law enforcement, training officers, prosecutors, judges, legislators, social service providers, healthcare professionals, victim advocates and the faith based community. In partnership with Management Resources Ltd. of New York addressing prevention and solutions within the community to the workplace.

Online contributions: Forbes : Crime, She Writes providing commentary about the hottest topics on crime, justice, and law from a woman’s perspective, as well as Time's Up! a blog which searches for solutions (SOS) for victims of crime.

Radio Shows: Susan is the host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show, "Time's Up!" . She is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated "The Roth Show" with Dr Laurie Roth and a co-host on Crime Wire.

Books: Time's Up: A Guide on How to Leave and Survive Abusive and Stalking Relationships,Moving out, Moving on, and Defending Out Lives.

www.imaginepublicity.com

South Carolina Professor Jennifer Lee Wilson: "Teaching an Important Lesson"

Professor Jennifer Lee Wilson is a tragic lesson of how a death could have been prevented. Within the facts of her death, at her home, at the hands of a man with whom she ended a relationship, and how she died, is an important lesson.

The lesson began when Jennifer received an email from a former girlfriend cautioning her to be careful of the man with whom she was trying to end a relationship. He was stalking her relentlessly, calling and sending texts. There was enough harassing behavior by the man to warrant a police report and then obtain an order of protection from the court. But, Jennifer likely believed she could handle what was happening and thought, as many victims do, he would eventually grow tired and move on.

That did not happen. In fact, co-workers, other educators at the University of South Carolina, were aware of what Jennifer was experiencing at the hands of this man. On one of the news sites a co-worker and friend comments:

"I don't really know if there is an lesson in her death because this honestly could happen to anyone. It's entirely scary because the only lesson I can gather from this is if a person is crazy and determined to get you there is little you can do."

The person who made the comment is wrong. There were things that could have been accomplished to assist Jennifer and therein lies the real lesson.

The professor's death could have been prevented. Everyone knew what was happening at the university but no one knew what direction was required for her to be safe and stay alive. He had a plan to stalk, harass and threaten. She needed a plan to be 10 steps ahead of his tactics to stay alive. With over 20 years of working on complex, dangerous, high risk cases of intimate partner violence, so far, not one victim has died on my watch. So, I disagree with the co-worker and educator's comment "if a person is crazy, there is little you can do."

Since the University of South Carolina does not currently offer training in the area of intimate partner violence, I suggest they consider scheduling a series of educational workshops on intimate partner violence and prevention to not only bring awareness to those on campus, and keep students and facility safe, the workshop campus training should include an invitation for the local law enforcement community.

When a call was placed by a neighbor at approximately 2:00 a.m., saying they heard screaming coming from inside the home, the officers should have done more than get out of the squad car for a moment, and  because all seemed quiet, turn around get back in the squad car and leave. The officers did not do a wellness check. They did not take the time to knock on the door of the professor's home, and they did not follow-up with the person who placed the 911 call to investigate further. If they had, it may possibly have saved her life.

The next morning, the same neighbor called again and police are now at the scene of a homicide. They arrested the "oh so nice and well mannered man" (a phrase I saw used several times to describe the cold blooded killer.)

At the conclusion of the news article Gloria Boutte, Chair of USC Department of Instruction and Teacher Education, said, "Wilson's death leaves a void on many levels. You could always count on her to make people feel better."

With the death of Professor Jennifer Wilson, the University of South Carolina has an opportunity to fill the void of her death by teaching others just like Jennifer the lessons of leaving an abusive relationship and learning how to stay alive!

If you are in a relationship that has a history of violence, simply mustering up the courage to confront the person and say it is over, without the proper tools, can cost you, your life!The book "Time's Up A Guide on How To Survive and Abusive and Stalking Relationship" is the prescription that every person must obtain before they announce they are leaving. Below is an example from Chapter 4, one of many unique tools provided in the book. It is available onAmazon.com, or you can purchase via e-book or on a CD. If you have questions, the email address is: timesupforjustice@gmail.com

This book doesn't merely discuss when you should leave or why you should leave, it tells you HOW you should leave. The book has step-by-step instructions how to covertly make a plan, set-up a safe escape, deal with financial issues, and the paperwork. Susan even takes you line-by-line through the process, the forms, the legal issues...she takes you by the hand, and, believe me, when you are being terrorized and you are an basket case, you don't need vague ideas, you need specific instructions. TIME'S UP can save your life and your sanity. If you need to get out, get this book before you make a mistake that could be fatal. It is money well spent.

Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit by Susan Murphy Milano from the Book "Time's Up" from Courage Network on Vimeo.

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Susan Murphy Milano is a staff member of the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education. She is a specialist with intimate partner violence prevention strategies and high risk cases and available for personal consultations through the Institute. She is also part of the team at Management Resources Limited of New York.

Susan is the author of "Time's Up: A Guide on How to Leave and Survive Abusive and Stalking Relationships,"Moving out, Moving on, and Defending Out Lives. Susan is the host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show, "Time'sUp!" . She is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated "The Roth Show" with Dr Laurie Roth and a co-host on Crime Wire.

If you would like to schedule Susan Murphy Milano for interviews, please contact: ImaginePublicity PO BOX 14946 Surfside Beach, SC 29587 Phone: 843.808.0859 email- contact@imaginepublicity.com

Crystal Ragin: Intimate Partner War Behind Enemy Lines

As active military assigned to the Fort Eustis Army base in Virginia, Crystal Ragin, age 32, and mother of 4 children, would not be prepared for special combat duty on Friday. Crystal, along with three of her four children:

Sierra, age 15

Rasheed, age 10

Lakwan, age 4

All murdered behind enemy territory by Crystal's second husband. After he stabbed to death the mother and children, he set the house on fire and took the couple's 5 year- old son and headed to South Carolina. According to sources, the past few months John Ragin's rages escalated. Crystal Ragin was in fear and in the process of making plans to end the marriage.

She and her children were no match for his anger. Over the weekend, he was taken into custody arrested in South Carolina where he is expected to be taken back to VA and charged with 4 counts of murder.

There has to be more then merely a funeral followed by headstones for these innocent lives now added to the national casualties list in the war as it directly relates to intimate partner violence that leads to homicides.

In the months ahead we hope to provide a more direct solution in hopes of stopping the daily slaughter of those whose cries for help in decades past have fallen on deaf years.

The trumpets from heaven for Crystal, Sierra, Rasheed and Lakwan will sound loudly as they enter the gates of God's kingdom and here on earth their voices will ultimately, be victorious!

May they each rest in peace!

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This book doesn't merely discuss when you should leave or why you should leave, it tells you HOW you should leave. The book has step-by-step instructions how to covertly make a plan, set-up a safe escape, deal with financial issues, and the paperwork. Susan even takes you line-by-line through the process, the forms, the legal issues...she takes you by the hand, and, believe me, when you are being terrorized and you are an basket case, you don't need vague ideas, you need specific instructions. TIME'S UP can save your life and your sanity. If you need to get out, get this book before you make a mistake that could be fatal. It is money well spent.

If you are in a relationship that has a history of violence, simply mustering up the courage to confront the person and say it is over, without the proper tools, can cost you, your life!The book "Time's Up A Guide on How To Survive and Abusive and Stalking Relationship" is the prescription that every person must obtain before they announce they are leaving. Below is an example from Chapter 4, one of many unique tools provided in the book. It is available onAmazon.com, or you can purchase via e-book or on a CD. If you have questions, the email address is: timesupforjustice@gmail.com

Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit by Susan Murphy Milano from the Book "Time's Up" from Courage Network on Vimeo.

****

Susan Murphy Milano is a staff member of the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education. She is a specialist with intimate partner violence prevention strategies and high risk cases and available for personal consultations through the Institute. She is also part of the team at Management Resources Limited of New York.

Susan is the author of "Time's Up: A Guide on How to Leave and Survive Abusive and Stalking Relationships,"Moving out, Moving on, and Defending Out Lives. Susan is the host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show, "Time'sUp!" . She is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated "The Roth Show" with Dr Laurie Roth and a co-host on Crime Wire.

If you would like to schedule Susan Murphy Milano for interviews, please contact: ImaginePublicity PO BOX 14946 Surfside Beach, SC 29587 Phone: 843.808.0859 email- contact@imaginepublicity.com