Del. State Police Conduct In-Custody Death Investigation

A 72-year-old Milton man is dead, and Delaware State Police are investigating his death which occurred while he was in police custody.

According to State Police, Wednesday at about 10:00 a.m., detectives responded to the Bait and Tackle Shop in the 25,000-block of Coastal Highway (Indian River Inlet) after getting information that Stanley Bradley may have been there “hanging out.” Bradley was wanted on an outstanding warrant for second-degree rape (felony) and related charges involving a child.

State Police said Bradley was seen leaving the business, and he was very cooperative and was taken into custody without incident. As police were transporting him, Bradley requested that detectives pull over because he thought he was suffering from a medical event.

The driving trooper stopped the vehicle, and both detectives got out to check on Bradley, who lost consciousness. One detective called 911 for medical assistance as the other began CPR. EMS arrived and Bradley was taken to Bayhealth Sussex, stabilized and transported to Bayhealth Hospital Kent Campus. Bradley died at approximately 6:00 p.m.

State Police said an investigation revealed that Bradley had a long medical history and had been hospitalized multiple times during the last year for cardiac issues. The Medical Examiner with the Delaware Division of Forensic science determined that Bradley died of natural causes pending a toxicology examination, that there was nothing suspicious and no signs of trauma were found during the investigation.

The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigation Unit continues an investigation, pending toxicology results.

State Police said no information would be released about the charges Bradley faced due to the sensitive nature of the case.