Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Bradfield Clark |
| Relation | Older brother of Hadden Irving Clark |
| Date of Crime | June 1984 |
| Crime | Murder, dismemberment and cannibalism of a female coworker |
| Conviction Date | June 1985 |
| Sentence | 18 years to life |
| Professional Background | Computer software specialist prior to conviction |
Family Background and Early Life
His family had four children, and Bradfield Clark was the second oldest. Both Clark parents were alcoholics, causing frequent and violent conflicts in the 1960s and 1970s. Their father, who had a PhD in chemistry, worked in industrial research until his suicide in March 1982, causing instability and stress in the family. Without parental supervision or emotional support, Bradfield, Hadden, Geoffrey, and a younger sister struggled economically and psychologically. Bradfield, in his early thirties, was a software specialist but still affected by childhood maltreatment and family discord.
Bradfield Clark’s Crime and Legal Proceedings
Bradfield Clark invited a female coworker to his home for supper in June 1984, claiming to be socialising. He strangled her, dismembered her with a kitchen knife, and put the body in rubbish bags when she arrived. After hiding the goods in his 1983 Datsun 200SX trunk and passenger compartment, he cooked the victim. Clark confessed to the murder and surrendered to police weeks later.
Clark pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and mutilation of human remains on June 12, 1985. The Superior Court sentenced him to 18 years to life, with a minimum of 18 years before parole eligibility. Prison medical evaluations found serious personality disorder but not psychosis. Early parole reviews in 2003 were denied owing to the crime’s extraordinary cruelty and lack of rehabilitation, keeping Clark in prison.
Hadden Irving Clark: The Younger Brother
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hadden Irving Clark |
| Date of Birth | July 31, 1952 |
| Confirmed Victims | 2 (Michele Lee Dorr, age 6; Laura Houghteling, age 23) |
| Other Confessions | Claimed multiple additional murders through prison calls |
| Cannibalistic Acts | Drank victim’s blood, ingested flesh |
| Parole Sentences | Two 30‑year terms plus 10 years for robbery |
| Incarceration Facility | Eastern Correctional Institution, Maryland |
After serving in the U.S., Hadden Irving Clark became violent. Navy, where colleagues recognised odd behaviour. In January 1986, he kidnapped and killed six-year-old Michele Dorr in Maryland, participating in ritualistic cannibalism and blood consumption. He received a 30-year term after being convicted in late 1986. Clark committed another murder in August 1992, targeting 23-year-old Laura Houghteling. He cross-dressed and ingested body parts from the killing. After being convicted of a second murder and armed robbery in 1993, he received an extra 40 years in prison under maximum-security circumstances.
Family Dynamics and Patterns
The Clark brothers’ crimes reveal family dysfunction due to frightening similarities:
- Parental suicide (1982): Bradfield and Hadden’s emotional and behavioural issues worsened after the father’s suicide.
- Substance Abuse: Parental drinking caused an unstable atmosphere that hindered appropriate socio-emotional development.
- Cannibalistic Behaviour: The brothers consumed victims post-mortem, an uncommon and terrible form of brutality.
- Two of the four Clark children committed homicides, one testified in court, and one remained anonymous.
- Paranoid schizophrenia was diagnosed in prison for Hadden, while antisocial personality disorder was found in Bradfield.
These related circumstances reflect a multigenerational cycle of trauma, neglect, and mental illness that produced two of the worst U.S. sibling serial killers.
Media Representations and Public Interest
| Title | Type | Year | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born Evil: The Serial Killer and the Savior | Docuseries | 2024 | Five-part deep dive into Hadden’s crimes and Bradfield’s crime |
| Cannibal Brothers | Podcast Series | 2020 | True‑crime analysis featuring interviews with family members |
| Various News Features | Print & Online | 2024 | Investigative reports on newly released prison audio |
The Michael Bay-produced five-part docuseries launched on Investigation Discovery and streaming platforms in September 2024, providing unparalleled access to prison calls, family interviews, and forensic investigation. Episode 3, “Bradfield,” explores the 1984 murder of the older brother, including timelines, crime scene reconstructions, and psychological profiling by criminal psychiatrists. Serial Killer Brain and Murder Phone, true-crime podcasts, have devoted multiple episodes to the “Cannibal Brothers,” featuring first-hand testimonies from family members and investigators who handled the cases decades ago.
Parole Eligibility and Current Status
- Bradfield Clark: Received parole eligibility in August 2003 after serving 18 years, although applications were repeatedly denied. Next scheduled evaluations occur every five years, with the latest in February 2024.
- Hadden Clark will not be eligible for parole until 2026 after serving two 30-year terms. Multiple advisory bodies have unanimously recommended incarceration due to risk assessments and lack of remorse.
Two brothers are undergoing mental examination; neither meets safe community reintegration criteria.
FAQ
What crime did Bradfield Clark commit?
He confessed to authorities in 1985 after strangling, dismembering, and consuming a female coworker in June 1984.
When was Bradfield Clark convicted and what was his sentence?
He pleaded guilty in June 1985 and received an indeterminate 18‑year‑to‑life prison sentence.
Who is Hadden Irving Clark in relation to Bradfield?
The younger brother of Bradfield, Hadden, is a convicted serial killer serving multiple long-term terms in Maryland.
What mental health diagnoses have the Clark brothers received?
Bradfield was antagonistic but not psychotic, while Hadden had paranoid schizophrenia.
What are the key factors in the Clark family’s history of violence?
Chronic parental drunkenness, the father’s 1982 suicide, and child mistreatment made homicide likely.
Has any media examined the Clark brothers’ crimes?
This includes the 2024 Born Evil: The Serial Killer and the Saviour docuseries, true-crime podcasts, and print stories.
