Accused killer indicted on another charge

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) – The man accused of killing missing woman,Shannon Rippy VanNewkirk, has been indicted in another woman’s murder.

James Opelton Bradley, 52, is now charged with first-degree murder in the death of Elisha Marie Tucker.

Bradley has been in prison awaiting trial for VanNewkirk’s murder. She was last seen leaving a downtown Wilmington bar about 4 p.m. April 5, 2014. When she failed to show up the following day for brunch with her mother and aunt, VanNewkirk’s family reported her missing. While searching for her body, police discovered another woman’s body buried in Pender County.  She was identified as Elisha Marie Tucker, 34. Tucker’s mother reported her missing on October 21, 2013.

Today, Bradley was charged in Tucker’s murder.

Bradley’s murder trial for the death of VanNewkirk is scheduled to start in April.