In March 2020, the body of 16-year-old Gabrielle Britney Ujlaky was found in the Nevada desert. The young cowgirl’s death shocked her family and community.
Gabrielle, also known as Britney, was reported missing on March 8, 2020. Three days later, her body was discovered. Sadly, police found a used condom near her body. A medical examiner determined that she had been attacked and killed.
On March 12, police arrested Bryce Dickey, a friend of Gabrielle’s from the rodeo circuit. He was charged with her murder. Gabrielle’s family said she thought of 18-year-old Bryce as a “big brother.”
Initially, Bryce told police he saw Gabrielle get into a green pickup truck with a “tall cowboy” on the day she disappeared. But police didn’t believe his story.
When they tested the condom found at the scene, it had both Gabrielle and Bryce’s DNA on it. At first, Bryce denied having sex with Gabrielle, but he later changed his story.
Bryce was charged with murder. Gabrielle’s father said that his daughter thought Bryce was a good friend.
Prosecutors said that on the day Gabrielle disappeared, Bryce choked her, attacked her, and cut her throat. They said he stabbed her so hard that it damaged a major artery.
During the trial in 2022, prosecutors showed the jury bloody boots that were found in Bryce’s closet. A woman who used to date Bryce testified that he had been violent with her in the past.
The jury found Bryce guilty of all charges after thinking about the case for four hours. He was sentenced to 70 years in prison.
Gabrielle’s friend, Saquarra Ashby, said that Gabrielle had dreams of joining the Navy and becoming a makeup artist. She added that Gabrielle would have made a wonderful Rodeo Queen.
