An Engineer Vanished After His Birthday, and His Body Was Found in Desert. Now, a Childhood Friend Is Charged

Alijah Bradley, 24, disappeared after celebrating his birthday, leading to the arrest of Samuel Bush, authorities say

Authorities in Arizona have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the death of an engineer who had disappeared days before his remains were found in the desert in mid-August.

Alijah Bradley, 24, was announced as missing on Aug. 15 by police in Gilbert, Ariz., the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office confirms to PEOPLE.

On Aug. 19, authorities found his body in the desert area near the town of Gila Bend, an hour away from Gilbert, the sheriff’s office says. His death was determined to be a homicide.

On Wednesday, Sep. 4, authorities arrested 23-year-old Samuel Bush on two charges, including murder, in connection with Bradley’s death, per the sheriff’s office.

The victim’s relative told KPHO and ABC 15 that Bush and Bradley were childhood friends.

"We know that Alijah and Samuel were known to each other for many years prior to the homicide," the sheriff's office told PEOPLE.

Bradley's family told ABC 15 that he went missing on Aug. 12, the day after his birthday. A family member told KPHO they reported him missing when he did not show up for work.

He had also failed to call his mother, which was out of the ordinary for him, relatives said, per KPHO and ABC 15.   

In a GoFundMe created to assist with his funeral expenses, Bradley's family is remembering the “bright and beloved” young man.

“Alijah was known for his free spirit and wild soul, and his loss is deeply felt by all who knew him,” reads a part of the fundraiser, which says the family is seeking justice following the “brutal” killing.

In a statement, Bradley’s mother told ABC 15 that her son loved the outdoors and the sun.

“The world will never experience his kindness again,” his mother, who is not named in the report, said in the statement. “Due to this individual's brutal act, I can't believe the world is going to miss out on Alijah and his future contributions to the world…He was my everything, and it is inconceivable to me that I have to wake up every day to a world without Alijah… I'm committing my life to obtaining justice for my son.”

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Bush was charged with second-degree intentional murder and concealing a body, per the sheriff's office. It wasn't immediately clear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

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