Iowa man sentenced to 50 years for Mitchell Co. state park murder

(ABC 6 News) – Nathan Gilmore received a 50-year sentence for the murder of Angela Bradbury Monday, Oct. 16.

Gilmore, 24, was originally charged with premeditated 1st-degree murder after Bradbury’s decapitated head was found on a stick in a Mitchell County state park in July of 2021.

RELATED: VIDEO: IA man charged with murder in 2021 missing persons case – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com

Gilmore entered a guilty plea to 2nd-degree murder Aug. 17, which county judge Rustin Davenport accepted.

A minimum of 35 years of Gilmore’s sentence must be spent in prison, according to Davenport, before he is eligible for parole.

Inside the Mitchell County courtroom, the grieving friends of Angela Bradbury were wiping tears as they faced Gilmore.

“I will forever live with the fact that your face is the last face she saw. That terror was the last emotion she felt,” said Tim Bradbury, Angela’s father as he gave a victim impact statement during the sentencing. “You killed my child and then went home like nothing happened.”

Some details of the gruesome and horrific murder the Bradbury’s have not been able to face, they said.

“You returned later to the site where you killed her and buried her and proceeded to remove her head,” said Tim Bradbury. “The head that I kissed goodnight hundreds of times, the head that her mom placed her hand on to feel for a fever.”

Court documents suggest that Gilmore was obsessed with Satan, even finding a satanic shrine in his home with details connecting him to Bradbury’s death.

“While you face the sentence of much of your life behind bars, we have been sentenced to a lifetime of grief,” said Angela’s sister, Alyssa Bradbury Uren. “Grappling with the what ifs and dreams that will never be realized.”

Regardless of the tears shed from the family of the woman he murdered or his future in prison, Gilmore sat emotionless throughout the 45 minute sentencing.

“A very good man gave me council and reminded me that since you believe in the devil, you must also believe there is a God and I hope that scares you,” said Tim Bradbury. “You are the darkest soul I’ve ever encountered and I will forever be aggrieved that you and Angela ever crossed paths.”

ABC 6 News previously reported that Gilmore met Bradbury in Mason City Aug. 6, 2021, and killed her the same day.

“I met someone, I stabbed her in the neck, and went back to work,” Gilmore was quoted in the presentence investigation. “I never even knew her name until she was reported missing. I don’t really feel anything about it, it was easy and not the worst thing I’ve ever done.” 

Investigators say Gilmore was at the Cerro Gordo County Jail for an arraignment Aug. 6, and Bradbury had just been released from jail on a trespassing charge.

Bradbury was last seen leaving a friend’s house in Mason City with a young, white man. She told the friend she was going to St. Ansgar.

Her skull, and later the rest of her remains, were found in a park that is located between St. Ansgar and Gilmore’s home in Osage.

Investigators say GPS data put Gilmore at the park the day Bradbury vanished and at times he told them he was at work.

Court documents also outlined a Snapchat message in which Gilmore talks about “getting off” by stabbing someone in the throat.