The tragic case and murder of Jasper Braddy: He Was Murdered After He Allegedly Made Inappropriate Comments About His Killers Son

On July 21, 2020, a man named Jonathan Welch made a chilling 911 call

In the call, he confessed to a murder that had taken place two months earlier. 

The victim was later identified as Jasper Braddy, someone Welch knew before the tragedy.

Jasper Braddy

How Joblessness and Legal Troubles Led to a Deadly Encounter

Jonathan Welch was a 32-year-old man living in Marion, Ohio.

At the time, he had been facing significant challenges in his life. 

He had recently lost his job as a technician at a brick manufacturing company in Caledonia, Ohio. 

He was also facing legal issues over child endangerment.

His landlord, Adam Utzinger, said Welch was having a hard time dealing with these problems.

The victim, Jasper Braddy, was a 33-year-old man with a complex background. 

Braddy was originally from Colorado.

However, he somehow ended up in Marion, Ohio, in the weeks before his tragic death.

Braddy and Welch had known each other for a while.

Their relationship was based on a shared interest in making money. 

Sadly, this connection would eventually lead to a deadly outcome.

Jonathan Welch

The Investigation: Uncovering the Truth Behind the Murder

The fateful encounter between Welch and Braddy took place at Welch's home on Saint Gallen Avenue. 

Braddy came to Welch's house to talk about a business deal.

During this meeting, the two men began drinking.

Soon, their conversation took a dark and disturbing turn. 

Braddy allegedly made comments about having sex with Welch's 8-year-old son.

These comments got Welch angry instantly. 

In a moment of anger, Welch shot Braddy three times below the neck, killing him instantly. 

The gruesome crime didn't end there. 

Welch then quickly dug a shallow grave in a flower bed in his backyard and buried Braddy's body.

The crime scene (Explore with Us on YouTube)

The Investigation: Uncovering the Truth Behind the Murder

The investigation into Braddy's murder began after Jonatham Welch called 911 to report the crime two months later.

When Marion Police officers arrived at Welch's home, they found him heavily intoxicated.

After a few minutes of questioning, Welch led them to the makeshift grave in the backyard.

With the help of crime scene experts, authorities were able to retrieve Braddy's body.

Further investigation by detectives uncovered why he waited two months to report the murder.

Jonathan Welch was facing eviction as he was late on his rent.

He knew that once he moved out, the landlord or a new tenant would eventually find the body in the makeshift grave. 

As a result of this, he decided to report the crime.

Investigations also revealed that he first called his landlord and told him about the body in the backyard. 

The landlord then warned him to turn himself in or he would be the one to report him to the authorities.

As promised, the landlord called 911 immediately after Jonathan Welch confessed to report the issue.

Before officers could reach the crime scene, Welch made his own 911 call to report the crime.

Jasper Braddy (Explore with Us on YouTube)

According to Jonathan Welch, his motive for the murder was because Braddy talked about sleeping with his son. 

He claimed that Braddy was a paedophile who was a danger to the society. 

This claim seemed true after an anonymous man called the authorities.

The caller told authorities to thank Welch for killing his rapist.

However, authorities never confirmed Jasper Braddy was a certified paedophile .

Jonathan Welch in court

From Trial to Sentencing: Justice for Jasper Braddy 

Jonathan Welch was clearly intoxicated during his 911 call and his first interaction with officers. 

His erratic behavior raised concerns about whether he fully understood the seriousness of his actions.

You can watch the full bodycam video of his first interaction with officers on Explore with Us on YouTube.

Despite his drunken state, Jonathan Welch's confession and the physical evidence at the crime scene implicated him.

In court, Welch’s defense argued that his actions were due to his mental state and intoxication.

However, the prosecution presented a compelling case.

They argued that Jonathan Welch had planned the murder in advance.

The jury found Welch guilty of murder, and he was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison with no chance of parole.

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