1 year later, still no arrests in Cocoa woman's killing

COCOA, Fla. — One year ago, a Brevard County mother was preparing for her daughter's birthday party when she was killed at her home, but police still haven’t made an arrest in the case.

A weapon was found near the scene but no suspects have been identified after Lydia Bradford was killed and her mother seriously injured at a Cocoa apartment complex.

Authorities told Channel 9 on Thursday they know somebody knows who killed Bradford, but no one will speak up.

The lack of cooperation by the community led friends and family to contact WFTV's Mario Boone, pleading for someone to come forward and help get the killer off the street.

"She was awesome," said Bradford's friend, Sireka Gibson. "She should be here, and she should be with her family."

Gibson said he's angry because the killer has never been identified.

"If you could take someone's life and live your life like you've done nothing, that's cold," she said.

The shooting happened at the Longwood Apartments just hours before Bradford was to host a party for her daughter's 7th birthday.

Detectives said they found the murder weapon near the scene and DNA on the gun revealed the killer was male, but since then, leads in the case have dried up.

"She loved her kids and she did anything to give them a good life," said Gibson.

Cocoa police said their investigation is at a standstill and they believe it's because of a "no snitch" rule on the streets.

WFTV