Topline: Text messages and 911 audio raise doubts about suicide in Sabrina Radford’s death.
Published: May 14, 2025 7:00 am ET
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James Radford (via Shawano County Sheriff’s Office)
FAIRBANKS, WI – Almost a decade after a woman was found dead from a gunshot wound in her Wisconsin home, her husband has been charged in connection with her death.
James C. Radford, 39, was arrested on April 15, 2025, and charged with First-Degree Reckless Homicide in the 2016 death of his wife, Sabrina Radford, the Shawano Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Deputies responded to a residence on County Road J on April 11, 2016, after Radford called 911 to report that his wife had shot herself. At the time, law enforcement was unable to determine definitively whether the death was a suicide. However, due to suspicious circumstances, a formal investigation was opened.
Over the following nine years, investigators reexamined evidence, conducted numerous interviews—including with James Radford—and consulted expert witnesses. They also employed advanced forensic technology and investigative tools that were not available at the time of the original response, the news release said.
With the culmination of this extensive review, authorities concluded that Sabrina Radford’s death was not the result of suicide.
Following these findings, the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office presented its case to the Shawano County District Attorney’s Office. On April 15, Radford was arrested in Waukesha County and later transported to Shawano County, where he was booked into jail. He has since been formally charged in Shawano County Circuit Court, and his cash bond has been set at $800,000. As of Tuesday, he remains in custody.
Details from the criminal complaint obtained by Law&Crime further outline the prosecution’s case. When law enforcement arrived at the scene in 2016, they observed clothing and other items scattered on the floor in an upstairs bedroom. The complainant alleges this was because Radford was angry that Sabrina was with another man and planning to leave him.
Radford had called 911 in the early morning hours of April 11, saying his wife “has been shot real bad” and that he was performing CPR. However, first responders observed inconsistencies between Radford’s account and the physical evidence at the scene.
“There was a substantial amount of blood on the clothes, body and area surrounding SR’s body,” the complaint stated.
Sabrina had sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was deceased when law enforcement arrived.
Authorities say Radford’s version of events didn’t match the forensic evidence. The gun used—a large .44 caliber handgun—did not have any blowback material or blood on the barrel or muzzle, which would be expected if the victim had fired the weapon herself. Furthermore, while her body and clothes were soaked in blood, her chest was clean when paramedics removed her sweatshirt—contradicting Radford’s claim that he had attempted CPR, court documents indicate.
Investigators also analyzed the 911 call. At 1 minute and 31 seconds into the recording, Radford is heard saying, “I can’t believe ? [unintelligible] shot her.” The complainant believes he says, “I [shot her].”
Evidence suggests jealousy may have been the motive. A text message from February 16, 2016, shows that Sabrina wrote that “the defendant was threatening her if she sees another man,” according to the complaint.
Radford’s next court appearance is pending.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Years After Wife’s Death Labeled Suicide, Husband Faces Homicide Charge
Text messages and 911 audio raise doubts about suicide in Sabrina Radford’s death.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 14, 2025 7:00 am ET
James Radford (via Shawano County Sheriff’s Office)
FAIRBANKS, WI – Almost a decade after a woman was found dead from a gunshot wound in her Wisconsin home, her husband has been charged in connection with her death.
James C. Radford, 39, was arrested on April 15, 2025, and charged with First-Degree Reckless Homicide in the 2016 death of his wife, Sabrina Radford, the Shawano Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Deputies responded to a residence on County Road J on April 11, 2016, after Radford called 911 to report that his wife had shot herself. At the time, law enforcement was unable to determine definitively whether the death was a suicide. However, due to suspicious circumstances, a formal investigation was opened.
Over the following nine years, investigators reexamined evidence, conducted numerous interviews—including with James Radford—and consulted expert witnesses. They also employed advanced forensic technology and investigative tools that were not available at the time of the original response, the news release said.
With the culmination of this extensive review, authorities concluded that Sabrina Radford’s death was not the result of suicide.
Following these findings, the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office presented its case to the Shawano County District Attorney’s Office. On April 15, Radford was arrested in Waukesha County and later transported to Shawano County, where he was booked into jail. He has since been formally charged in Shawano County Circuit Court, and his cash bond has been set at $800,000. As of Tuesday, he remains in custody.
Details from the criminal complaint obtained by Law&Crime further outline the prosecution’s case. When law enforcement arrived at the scene in 2016, they observed clothing and other items scattered on the floor in an upstairs bedroom. The complainant alleges this was because Radford was angry that Sabrina was with another man and planning to leave him.
Radford had called 911 in the early morning hours of April 11, saying his wife “has been shot real bad” and that he was performing CPR. However, first responders observed inconsistencies between Radford’s account and the physical evidence at the scene.
“There was a substantial amount of blood on the clothes, body and area surrounding SR’s body,” the complaint stated.
Sabrina had sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was deceased when law enforcement arrived.
Authorities say Radford’s version of events didn’t match the forensic evidence. The gun used—a large .44 caliber handgun—did not have any blowback material or blood on the barrel or muzzle, which would be expected if the victim had fired the weapon herself. Furthermore, while her body and clothes were soaked in blood, her chest was clean when paramedics removed her sweatshirt—contradicting Radford’s claim that he had attempted CPR, court documents indicate.
Investigators also analyzed the 911 call. At 1 minute and 31 seconds into the recording, Radford is heard saying, “I can’t believe ? [unintelligible] shot her.” The complainant believes he says, “I [shot her].”
Evidence suggests jealousy may have been the motive. A text message from February 16, 2016, shows that Sabrina wrote that “the defendant was threatening her if she sees another man,” according to the complaint.
Radford’s next court appearance is pending.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Years After Wife’s Death Labeled Suicide, Husband Faces Homicide Charge
Text messages and 911 audio raise doubts about suicide in Sabrina Radford’s death.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 14, 2025 7:00 am ET
James Radford (via Shawano County Sheriff’s Office)
FAIRBANKS, WI – Almost a decade after a woman was found dead from a gunshot wound in her Wisconsin home, her husband has been charged in connection with her death.
James C. Radford, 39, was arrested on April 15, 2025, and charged with First-Degree Reckless Homicide in the 2016 death of his wife, Sabrina Radford, the Shawano Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Deputies responded to a residence on County Road J on April 11, 2016, after Radford called 911 to report that his wife had shot herself. At the time, law enforcement was unable to determine definitively whether the death was a suicide. However, due to suspicious circumstances, a formal investigation was opened.
Over the following nine years, investigators reexamined evidence, conducted numerous interviews—including with James Radford—and consulted expert witnesses. They also employed advanced forensic technology and investigative tools that were not available at the time of the original response, the news release said.
With the culmination of this extensive review, authorities concluded that Sabrina Radford’s death was not the result of suicide.
Following these findings, the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office presented its case to the Shawano County District Attorney’s Office. On April 15, Radford was arrested in Waukesha County and later transported to Shawano County, where he was booked into jail. He has since been formally charged in Shawano County Circuit Court, and his cash bond has been set at $800,000. As of Tuesday, he remains in custody.
Details from the criminal complaint obtained by Law&Crime further outline the prosecution’s case. When law enforcement arrived at the scene in 2016, they observed clothing and other items scattered on the floor in an upstairs bedroom. The complainant alleges this was because Radford was angry that Sabrina was with another man and planning to leave him.
Radford had called 911 in the early morning hours of April 11, saying his wife “has been shot real bad” and that he was performing CPR. However, first responders observed inconsistencies between Radford’s account and the physical evidence at the scene.
“There was a substantial amount of blood on the clothes, body and area surrounding SR’s body,” the complaint stated.
Sabrina had sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was deceased when law enforcement arrived.
Authorities say Radford’s version of events didn’t match the forensic evidence. The gun used—a large .44 caliber handgun—did not have any blowback material or blood on the barrel or muzzle, which would be expected if the victim had fired the weapon herself. Furthermore, while her body and clothes were soaked in blood, her chest was clean when paramedics removed her sweatshirt—contradicting Radford’s claim that he had attempted CPR, court documents indicate.
Investigators also analyzed the 911 call. At 1 minute and 31 seconds into the recording, Radford is heard saying, “I can’t believe ? [unintelligible] shot her.” The complainant believes he says, “I [shot her].”
Evidence suggests jealousy may have been the motive. A text message from February 16, 2016, shows that Sabrina wrote that “the defendant was threatening her if she sees another man,” according to the complaint.
Radford’s next court appearance is pending.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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