An American man was convicted of killing his wife during their spectacular honeymoon in Fiji, prosecutors announced Monday.
Bradley Robert Dawson, 40, was found guilty in the killing of Christie Chen. The two were vacationing at the luxurious Turtle Island resort in July 2022 when Chen was killed. She was 36 at the time.
“Having considered all the evidence in its totality, I am of the opinion that the prosecution has proved the charge of murder against the accused beyond reasonable doubt,” Justice Riyaz Hamza said Thursday in delivering the verdict against Dawson, according to the Fiji Times.
Another couple reported hearing the sounds of a fight from Dawson and Chen’s suite on July 8, 2022, inside the exclusive resort, which hosts just 14 couples at a time and is only accessible by boat or seaplane. Police and resort staff began looking for Dawson and Chen after they didn’t appear for meals the next day.
After Chen’s body was discovered, Dawson was located at a nearby island with his wallet and passport, according to authorities. Dawson had kayaked away from the scene overnight, though he claimed in an interview with ABC News that he was only trying to give Chen space to cool down.
“I am of the opinion that the defense’s version cannot be believed,” Justice Hamza said, according to the Fiji Times.
Dawson will be sentenced on January 27. He faces a mandatory term of life in prison, though the judge could set a time period for a pardon to be considered under Fiji law.