Aiken Department of Public Safety detectives have made a significant breakthrough in the investigation of this week’s gruesome beating death of 78-year-old Swint Bradberry Jr.
Detectives identified and subsequently arrested 27-year-old Alexander Boone of Aiken, charging him Wednesday with burglary and murder. He has a history of breaking into vehicles, grand larceny, drug possession and domestic violence.
Bradberry, known to the community as “Porky Bradberry,” was discovered lifeless inside a bedroom at 915 Brookhaven Drive during a reported burglary investigation conducted by Aiken Department of Public Safety officers. Bradberry was the name behind Porky Bradberry’s Jewelry on Whiskey Road, an Aiken business that underwent new ownership in 2020 while keeping the name.
Aiken Capt. Marty Sawyer said the killing likely occurred Monday night, when the suspect broke a glass window at the front of the house to get inside and assault the victim. Bradberry had significant medical issues and was possibly blind. A friend who routinely picks up Bradberry and takes him to breakfast saw the busted window Tuesday morning and called police, who found the homeowner’s body inside, Capt. Sawyer said.
An arrest warrant says Boone went inside and struck Bradberry in the head multiple times with an unknown object, causing his death. He then fled with the victim’s orthotic Velcro shoes and his “Members Only” jacket that had Bradberry’s dry-cleaning receipt still attached.
This arrest follows a thorough examination of the crime scene and collaborative efforts with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and other agencies involved in the case, authorities said. The motive behind this brutal crime remains a key focus of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are urging the community to continue providing crucial information to aid in unraveling any potential connections between the suspect and the victim. The Aiken Department of Public Safety said the agency remains dedicated to bringing justice to Bradberry and his grieving family.
Community members with information can call 803-642-7620 or submit anonymous tips online at Crime Tip | City of Aiken, SC Government (cityofaikensc.gov).
Boone has convictions for burglary, breaking into motor vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, drug possession and domestic violence.
Bradberry has a history of his own, as detailed in a previous article in The Augusta Chronicle. He was once charged in the 1982 murder of wife Linda Bradberry. Prosecutors had alleged that he hired someone to kill her.
Linda Bradberry was found outside the old J.H. Quattlebaum’s Grocery on New Holland Road. She was on her hands and knees between the bucket seats facing the rear of her vehicle. She had been shot in the head at close range with a shotgun.
After five years without an arrest, the sheriff’s office arrested her husband and four other men, including a man who told officials that Porky Bradberry paid him and three others to carry out the slaying. He said they kidnapped the victim at the salon, took her to a remote location and killed her, then left her body at the abandoned grocery store, according to The Chronicle article.
But when serious contradictions developed in a witness’ statements and made conviction difficult, all of the suspects were released and charges were dismissed.
Porky Bradberry made headlines a few times after that with complaints and arrests for harassing phone calls to another ex-wife and criminal domestic violence for allegedly punching his wife. In the latter case, police said the victim was his fourth wife.
In 2011, Bradberry shot an armed robber in the face at his Aiken jewelry shop. The robber survived and was arrested.
