A Wisconsin man is set to stand trial nearly a decade after the death of his wife, after investigators concluded that forensic evidence contradicts his long-standing claim that she fatally shot herself during an argument about alleged infidelity.
James Radford, 40, has been charged with reckless homicide with a dangerous weapon modifier in connection with the April 2016 death of his wife, Sabrina Radford, 25.
According to authorities, advances in forensic science and a renewed investigation led detectives to determine that Sabrina’s death was not the result of suicide.
Husband Claimed Wife Shot Herself After Divorce Argument
According to a criminal complaint, police responded to the couple’s home in Fairbanks, Wisconsin, on April 11, 2016.
James Radford told investigators that he and his wife had argued after he confronted her about allegedly cheating on him.
He claimed he informed Sabrina that he intended to file for divorce because of her alleged infidelity.
According to his statement, Sabrina then picked up a handgun, held it with both hands, and shot herself in the chest.
At the time, investigators documented his account of the incident.
Cold Case Reexamined Nearly a Decade Later
Authorities reopened the investigation years later using updated forensic techniques and expert analysis.
According to the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office, improvements in investigative technology, forensic science, and expert witness evaluations allowed detectives to take a fresh look at the evidence.
Following that review, investigators concluded that Sabrina Radford could not have inflicted the fatal gunshot wound on herself.
The findings led to criminal charges against James Radford almost nine years after the shooting.
Forensic Findings Contradicted Original Story
According to the criminal complaint, investigators found no blood or blowback residue on the muzzle of the handgun, evidence they said would typically be expected if Sabrina had held the firearm against her own chest and fired it.
Investigators also determined that Sabrina was holding her cellphone at the time she was shot, contradicting James Radford’s claim that she used both hands to hold and fire the weapon.
Based on the physical evidence, detectives concluded that the scene was inconsistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
GoFundMe Created After Wife’s Death
Following Sabrina’s death, James Radford organized a GoFundMe campaign seeking donations to help cover funeral expenses and support the couple’s young daughter.
In the fundraiser, he wrote that no one could ever be prepared for losing someone they loved in such a tragic way.
The couple’s daughter was left without her mother following the 2016 shooting.
Arrest Came Exactly Nine Years Later
On April 11, 2025, exactly nine years after Sabrina Radford’s death, authorities arrested James Radford.
The Shawano County Sheriff’s Office announced that the renewed investigation had determined Sabrina’s death was not a suicide, leading to the homicide charge.
He was booked into the Shawano County Jail and has remained in custody on an $800,000 bond.
Defendant Pleads Not Guilty
Court records show that Radford has pleaded not guilty to the charge of reckless homicide with a dangerous weapon modifier.
He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 6, as the case proceeds toward trial, where prosecutors are expected to present the forensic evidence they say disproves his original account of his wife’s death.
