Shawano, Wis. — After nearly a decade of investigation, James Radford has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the 2016 shooting death of his wife, Sabrina Radford. The upgrade from a previous reckless homicide charge marks a significant shift in the longstanding case, which began when James Radford initially reported that his wife had shot herself during a domestic argument.
The 40-year-old Radford faces serious allegations after new forensic evidence and extensive re-examination by authorities raised doubts about his claims of suicide. Sabrina Radford, just 25 at the time of her death, was reported to have shot herself in their Town of Fairbanks home on April 11, 2016. The investigation, which has spanned years, saw the evidence evolve, prompting authorities to reject the self-inflicted shooting theory and pursue a more severe charge against Radford in 2025.
Prosecutors cited a lack of physical evidence supporting Radford’s account of the incident. Assistant District Attorney Brent DeBord, who took over the case, explained that a review of the evidence led to the determination that intentional homicide was the appropriate charge. In his initial testimony, James Radford claimed that after an argument over infidelity, his wife used his .44-caliber handgun to take her own life. However, forensic analysis indicated significant inconsistencies in his story, including the condition of the firearm found at the scene.
Investigators found that one bullet had been discharged from the revolver, with the remaining chambers configured in such a way that contradicted Radford’s narrative of how the shooting occurred. Forensic analysis revealed no sign of blood or other trace materials that would typically be present if Sabrina had held the gun as her husband described.
The case gained traction with the discovery of evidence from Sabrina Radford’s cellphone, which investigators noted she was using at the time of her death. Messaging records indicated a troubling history, including threats made by James Radford if his wife were to see another man. This emerging evidence highlighted a turbulent relationship that authorities believed may have led to foul play rather than a tragic suicide.
Following a lengthy period of investigation, Shawano County Sheriff George Lenzner confirmed that advances in forensic science and renewed interviews had shifted the interpretation of evidence, leading authorities to conclude that Sabrina Radford’s death was not self-inflicted. Radford was charged on April 11, 2025, precisely nine years following the incident.
As the legal proceedings progressed, Radford’s attorney, John Swimmer, maintained his client’s innocence, emphasizing that the basis for the new charge had not radically changed from earlier allegations. The prosecution, on the other hand, is now pursuing an intentional homicide charge, suggesting a deliberate act rather than reckless behavior.
A preliminary hearing set for August 28 aims to determine if there is sufficient probable cause for the intentional homicide charge to proceed. While the court has already found enough evidence to advance the previous reckless homicide charge, the outcome of this hearing will not address issues of guilt.
The stakes have risen for Radford, with the potential for life imprisonment looming over the new charges. While prosecutors seek to connect the dots from the evidence gathered over the years, Radford’s legal team has expressed concerns regarding the interpretation and handling of the evidence.
In the years since Sabrina’s death, the narrative has undergone a profound transformation, moving from his initial portrayal as a distraught husband to one now entangled in a homicide charge, underscoring the complexities surrounding domestic violence and the challenges of proving intent in legal cases. Radford remains in custody on an $800,000 bond, as the community watches closely for developments in a case that has spanned nearly a decade.