Who was Christe Chen Dawson? Husband, 38, accused of killing wife, 36, on luxurious honeymoon in Fiji
A honeymoon turned out to be a tragic trip for a couple as it left the wife dead and the husband behind the bars. A newlywed Memphis pharmacist, Christe Chen Dawson, 36, was found dead in a hotel room at a luxurious resort in the Yasawa Islands in Fiji.
Memphis couple Bradley Robert Dawson, 38, and Christe, got married in February but it was only recently that they went for their honeymoon to the remote island. The tragic incident took place on July 9, when Christe was found murdered inside her hotel room. Bradley’s attorney, Iqbal Khan, told FOX 13 that he could not confirm how she died, but did say that his client maintains his innocence.
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'I am in shock'
Her shocked friends expressed their horror to DailyMail, adding they had just seen her beam with joy at her wedding. They said that the couple may have bonded over their love of long-distance running and charitable work. One of Christe's friends, Rena Schomburg, said she is still in shock, "I just texted all my friends and my husband telling them I hope it's not real but my husband told me it is real. She was so excited to get married and to have babies."
Who was Christe Chen Dawson?
She was an award-winning pharmaceutical scientist who graduated from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Her research was focused on social determinants of health, particularly in low-income areas. She most recently worked for the Kroger chain of grocery stores as a pharmacist in the Memphis area.
Accroding to Law & Crime, Christe after securing funds for her research earlier this year was overjoyed and said, “I am excited to see the improvement in medication adherence after patients receive resources to help their disparities. The grant will give me a way to deliver training to pharmacy personnel, as well as present this idea to other pharmacists throughout the nation.”
She was also a talented baker who once owned a bakery in Colorado, and would always indulge her friends in sweet treats. Her friend Rena said that Christe, who used to travel with her mom on extravagant trips and post them on her social media, always wanted to go to pharmacy school and so she moved to Tennessee where she attended The University of Tennessee. Christe was working as a pharmacist at a Memphis Kroger's before her death.
On the other hand, Bradley worked as an IT specialist at Youth Villages, a Memphis nonprofit. In a statement released to the media, as per Daily Beast, Youth Villages said it had suspended Bradley pending further information. “It is our understanding Ms. Chen was his wife, and our condolences go out to her family,” the statement said.
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The pair’s decision to tie the knot took many by surprise, according to one person who knew Christe professionally. Rene also said she never met Bradley but feels that Christe might have met him through marathon running.
According to reports, Bradley was "nowhere to be found" on the remote island, until police caught up with him and was taken into custody. The 38-year-old also refused to submit his DNA for forensic testing when the police requested it. Magistrate Vodokisolomone told the court Dawson had committed an indictable offence and the case would be transferred to the High Court in Lautoka. The attorney for Bradley said he is working to get a bond for his client, who is due in a Fiji court on July 27.