42 Years in the Making – Timeline of Lisa Carnes Massac County Cold Case Murder – WMOK Metropolis

Timeline of Lisa Carnes Massac County Cold Case Murder
42 Years in the Making – WMOK Metropolis

(original publish date: 5/5/26 - Information is updated with articles in the timeline below)

WMOK – Massac County, IL – As we noted in today’s news check, this week has felt truly surreal as we witness major developments in the 1984 cold case murder of Lisa Carnes. Decades have passed without a break in the investigation, yet the case has never left the minds of Massac County residents.

For locals who remember the overwhelming shock and sadness that encompassed our community, these recent updates bring a profound sense of gravity to a story 42 years in the making.

For the family of Lisa who have lived this every day for the last forty two years, the last week has been a heaviness of mental and physical exhaustion that most of us will never experience at this depth.

While the case against Bradfield has been in progress for some time, Thursday was the first time for the family to see Bradfield face to face.

WMOK will continue to cover the developments closely on a local level moving forward as we add information to the extensive timeline.

March 30, 1984

Morning
- A Massac County property owner checking on prior vandalism that morning discovered blood on the home’s patio, back porch, and door/frame, indicating attempted entry.
- Massac County Sheriff’s Department dispatched Deputy Barger to the scene to investigate.
- Deputy Barger documented the scene and recovered one blood-covered shoe near the home and a second shoe roughly 50 yards east of the residence.
- As the morning progressed, authorities discovered five small pools of blood on the roadway near the property.
- A short time later, items of clothing were recovered along the roadside, including a woman’s fleece jacket containing a set of keys in the pocket.
- A Pulaski County Deputy on the scene examined a photograph attached to the recovered keys and recognized the individuals as Lisa and her husband, Ernest.
- The keys fit an abandoned truck belonging to Lisa and Ernest.
Afternoon
- The body of 26-year-old Lisa Ann Carnes is discovered in a field in rural Massac County, south of County Road 1150 N and east of US 45.

Investigation
- 12:30 AM (May 30th) — Motorist Sightings: A driver traveling toward Metropolis reported having seen a woman matching Lisa’s description walking along the roadway.
- Vehicle Trouble Confirmed: The sighting aligned with previous reports that Lisa’s truck had been experiencing mechanical issues earlier.
- Ride Declined: It was noted that Lisa was determined to get to Metropolis; she had previously turned down an offer for a ride, stating that if her truck quit on her, she would simply walk.

March 31, 1984: An autopsy is performed. The cause of death is determined to be a gunshot wound to the chest, with evidence of blunt force trauma to her head also noted.

1984-2025

1984–2025: The case remains open but eventually goes cold. Law enforcement, including the Illinois State Police (ISP) and the FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP), continues to seek information from the public periodically.

2025

Investigators partner with the Explore With Us (EWU) true crime channel and Parabon NanoLabs to utilize advanced genetic genealogy.

The DNA profile initially traces back to the son of George E. Bradfield.

Investigators quickly rule out the son, noting that his age made it physically impossible for him to be involved. Further deep-dive analysis narrows the profile down to the biological father, George E. Bradfield.

When first interviewed by investigators, Bradfield states he was living in Harrisburg, Illinois, at the time with a woman he had met and moved in with.

Bradfield admits he worked as an ironworker at the concrete plant in Joppa, Illinois (Missouri Portland), making a daily commute from Harrisburg straight to the local job site.

A Breakthrough in Cold Case Investigations: How EWU Funded the Lisa Carnes Case

Photo: Bradfield in 2024 – George Bradfield Facebook Page

2026

April 22, 2026: The Massac County State’s Attorney’s Office officially files charges against a suspect. A grand jury returns a five-count indictment for murder.

George E Bradfield Booking Photo – Photo: Daviess County KY Detention Center

April 23, 2026: George E. Bradfield arrested in Owensboro, KY

April 24, 2026: Massac County State’s Attorney Josh Stratemeyer holds a press conference at the courthouse to announce the arrest of 76-year-old George E. Bradfield of Owensboro, Kentucky. Massac County State’s Attorney to Hold Press Conference Regarding a 1984 Death Investigation

April 27, 2026: George E. Bradfield, a 76-year-old resident of Owensboro, Kentucky, appeared in a Daviess County courtroom on Monday, April 27, 2026, where he formally waived his right to extradition. The move clears the way for his transfer to Illinois to face charges for a homicide that occurred over four decades ago. Owensboro Resident George E. Bradfield Waives Extradition in 1984 Massac County Cold Case Murder George E. Bradfield Waives Extradition in 1984 Massac County Cold Case Murder

April 28, 2026: George E. Bradfield, 76, has been transferred into the custody of the Massac County Sheriff’s Office following his court appearance in Daviess County, Kentucky, on Monday. During the proceedings, Bradfield waived his right to extradition, facilitating his transport to Illinois. Massac County Sheriff’s Office Takes Custody of George E. Bradfield in 1984 Murder Case – WMOK Metropolis

2026: Detention Hearing - April 30, 2026:

Following his extradition and initial court proceedings, Bradfield entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. Bradfield Pleads Not Guilty in 1984 Massac County Cold Case Murder of Lisa Carnes
- During the detention hearing, court observers learned that investigators had interviewed Bradfield’s current wife. The defense counsel objected to the inclusion of the interview details in the hearing, leading all counsel to report to the judge’s chambers for a private discussion. Upon returning to the courtroom, the judge overruled the defense’s objection, allowing the information to be included under specific parameters established during the chamber meeting.
  - WMOK Editorial Policy: While other specific details from her interview were mentioned in open court, WMOK is actively choosing to withhold that portion to protect the integrity of the upcoming jury selection process.
- Detectives also conducted an interview with Bradfield’s ex-wife, who was married to him from 1971 to 1980.
  - WMOK Editorial Policy: While other specific details from her interview were mentioned in open court, WMOK is actively choosing to withhold that portion to protect the integrity of the upcoming jury selection process.
- Detectives conducted an interview with a woman, first initial “R” who had a relationship with Bradfield in 1985.
  - WMOK Editorial Policy: While other specific details from her interview were mentioned in open court, WMOK is actively choosing to withhold that portion to protect the integrity of the upcoming jury selection process.
Bradfield is now being held in the Tri-County Detention Center in Ullin, Illinois