KALISPELL — Bradley Hillious of Kalispell, charged with murdering his wife last month, appeared in Flathead County District Court on Thursday.
Charging documents said Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call at a residence on Willow Glenn Trail in Kalispell on December 15, where they found Hillious attempting to render aid to his wife Amanda, who was laying on the floor unresponsive.
Charging documents said Bradley stated that he heard someone scream and came out of his room and saw Amanda laying at the bottom of the stairs.
Bradley’s father Scott Hillious and Amanda Hillious -- as well as Bradley Hillious’s four children, ranging from one-to-11 years old -- were present at the house when deputies arrived.
During forensic interviews, charging documents said one child could hear his mother telling his father to stop hitting her and heard his mother scream “call 911.”
Amanda was taken to a hospital where a physician said she had multiple injuries including a laceration on her head, a lacerated liver, broken ribs, and bruises on her legs.
Amanda Hillious died from her injuries on December 19, and an autopsy was conducted on December 22 at the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula. It was determined that Amanda's death was caused by blunt force injuries associated with neck compression and the manner of death was ruled homicide.
Detectives called Bradley on December 24 and asked if he and his dad Scott could come in for a follow-up interview. Charging documents say Bradley stated he wanted to speak with his legal counsel and would call back later.
A short while later Bradley called 911 and reported that his father Scott had committed suicide.
Bradley said that his father approached him and said “I can’t do this anymore. I’m not going to jail. I love you,” before committing suicide.
Bradley could face life in prison if convicted on the deliberate homicide charge. His next court appearance has been set for March 31.
During Thursday's court appearance, Hillious pleaded not guilty to a charge of felony deliberate homicide for the killing of his wife, 31-year-old Amanda Hillious.
The judge reduced his bond from $750,000 to $500,000.
