Bradford’s disappearance was first reported on January 29, 2023, after he had gone missing following a visit to the Dollar area. According to investigators, Jake had been involved in an altercation shortly before his disappearance, and from that point on, he was never seen alive again. Despite an extensive search and numerous appeals for information from the public, no trace of Jake had been found for 18 long months. His family had been living through what they described as a “nightmare,” clinging to hope but also fearing the worst.
On the morning of October 15, 2024, what would have been Jake Bradford’s 23rd birthday, Victoria Police’s Missing Persons Squad, accompanied by forensic specialists from the Major Crime Scene Unit and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, discovered human remains believed to be those of the missing Rosebud man. The grim discovery was made in a remote area of woodland that had previously been combed by police but had not yielded any clues until now. The remains were found buried in a secluded section of the bushland, off a dirt track in Dollar, a small, isolated region in South Gippsland known for its dense forests and rugged terrain.
While the remains have yet to be formally identified, Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Burnett of Victoria Police’s Serious Crime Division indicated that investigators were confident the remains were Jake’s. A post-mortem examination is set to take place in the coming days, and the coroner has been informed. Burnett expressed the deep sorrow felt by the investigative team, particularly on the day that would have marked Jake’s 23rd birthday, saying, “Our heartfelt thoughts are with Jake’s family and friends today. This has been an incredibly difficult time for them, and their grief remains as raw as ever. We hope this discovery provides some measure of closure, even though we know that nothing can bring Jake back.”
For Jake’s family, the discovery of his remains comes as a bitter end to nearly two years of agonizing uncertainty. In a statement released by his father, the family expressed their ongoing grief and their hope that Jake can now be laid to rest. “We’ve lived with unimaginable pain and uncertainty for 18 months. We never stopped hoping for a miracle, but now that Jake has been found, we at least have the chance to say goodbye. Our grief is still as sharp as the day he went missing, but we hope that this brings us some form of closure.”
Jake Bradford’s story is one that has resonated deeply with the local community. A well-liked young man from the quiet beachside town of Rosebud, Jake had been a familiar face in the area, where he had grown up and formed close bonds with friends and family. Described by those who knew him as a kind-hearted and easygoing individual, Jake had an affinity for the outdoors and was a regular at local sporting events, often participating in community activities. His sudden disappearance left many in shock, struggling to comprehend how someone so full of life could vanish so abruptly.
When Jake went missing in January 2023, his family immediately reported him to the police after he failed to return home. Investigators quickly learned that he had been last seen in the Dollar area and had been involved in an altercation before his disappearance. That initial lead spurred a months-long investigation into the circumstances surrounding Jake’s last known moments. Forensic evidence, including phone records and witness statements, indicated that the 21-year-old had likely been involved in a serious confrontation, though police were initially unable to piece together the full picture of what had transpired.
In March 2023, a significant development in the case occurred when a 25-year-old man from Korumburra, a small town near Dollar, was charged with Jake Bradford’s murder. While the man has been remanded in custody, he has yet to stand trial. He is expected to appear before the Supreme Court of Victoria in early 2025, when more details about the events leading up to Jake’s death may come to light. Prosecutors believe the man, whose identity has not been publicly released due to the pending trial, was involved in the altercation that led to Jake’s death and is responsible for his subsequent disappearance and the concealment of his body in the remote bushland.
Despite the arrest, the discovery of Jake’s body marks a crucial turning point in the investigation, potentially providing key evidence in the forthcoming trial. Investigators hope that forensic analysis of the remains and the crime scene will yield new insights into what transpired in those critical hours after Jake was last seen. Detective Acting Superintendent Burnett praised the tireless efforts of the Missing Persons Squad and the Major Crime Scene Unit, stating that their dedication to finding answers for Jake’s family had never wavered. “From the moment Jake was reported missing, our officers have been relentless in their pursuit of the truth. This case has weighed heavily on all of us, and while nothing can undo the tragedy that has occurred, we are committed to ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.”
As the investigation moves forward, Jake’s family and friends are left to grapple with the devastating loss of a young man who had so much life ahead of him. Tributes have poured in from members of the Rosebud community, with many expressing their sorrow and solidarity with Jake’s grieving loved ones. A makeshift memorial has been set up at the family’s home, where friends and neighbors have left flowers, candles, and messages of support. “Jake was loved by so many, and his loss has left a hole in our hearts that will never be filled,” one close family friend said. “We can only hope that justice will be served, and that Jake’s family can begin to heal, knowing that he has been found and will be brought home.”
The discovery of Jake’s remains has also sparked renewed discussions about safety in rural and remote areas of Victoria. The dense, isolated bushland of South Gippsland, while often peaceful and scenic, can also be treacherous and difficult to navigate, particularly for those unfamiliar with the area. Police have acknowledged the challenges they faced in searching such a vast and rugged region, noting that the remoteness of the location made it an ideal place for someone to conceal a crime. “The fact that it took us 18 months to find Jake speaks to the difficulty of this terrain. It’s a stark reminder of the dangers that can lurk in even the most beautiful and seemingly tranquil places,” Burnett said.
As the community mourns the loss of Jake Bradford, attention now turns to the legal proceedings that will ultimately determine the fate of the man charged with his murder. The trial, set to begin in early 2025, will likely shed new light on the circumstances of Jake’s death and provide the family with the answers they have been desperately seeking for nearly two years. In the meantime, the family has asked for privacy as they come to terms with the loss of their beloved son and brother. Funeral arrangements for Jake are expected to be announced in the coming days, as the community prepares to say a final goodbye to a young man whose life was tragically cut short.
