Memphis man accused of murdering new bride during Fiji honeymoon

A Tennessee man has been jailed in Fiji after his new wife was discovered dead during their luxurious honeymoon getaway in the South Pacific.

Bradley Dawson has been charged with the murder of Christe Chen Dawson, just more than five months after they tied the knot in their hometown of Memphis. She was found dead on July 9 at a scenic Fiji resort in the Yasawa Islands, the suspect’s attorney confirmed to Fox 13 on Tuesday.

Bradley Dawson has been charged with killing Christe Chen Dawson.

The lawyer also declined to discuss the 36-year-old bride’s cause of death, but said Dawson has maintained his innocence in the slaying.

During an initial appearance before the Magistrates Court in Lautoka, Fiji’s second-largest city, Magistrate Sekonaia Vodokisolomone concluded Dawson committed an “indictable offense,” according to the Fiji Sun. His case was then transferred to the High Court in Lautoka, where he will be allowed to request bail during his next hearing, slated for July 27.

Authorities have also requested a DNA sample from Dawson, who allegedly refused to undergo certain forensic tests in wake of his wife’s murder.

Bradley Dawson has been charged with the murder of Christe Chen Dawson, just more than five months after they tied the knot their hometown of Memphis.

Christe, who graduated from the University of Tennessee, worked as a pharmacist for Kroger. A close friend of the couple said she had been looking forward to the romantic getaway with her husband to Turtle Island Resort. According to its website, the resort provides “pure indulgence, relaxation and romance at one of the most sought-after destinations in the world.”

It also served as the location for the 1980 film Blue Lagoon, starring Brooke Shields.