Honeymoon trip ends in tragedy: 39-year-old murdered by husband in $2,000 villa in Fiji

A newlywed pharmacist of Memphis was murdered during his honeymoon in a private Fiji resortwhere the movie was shot “Blue Lagoon“, with her husband accused of her murder, after the unfortunate woman was found dead in the villa the couple had booked in the luxury resort, worth $2,000 per night.

Christe Chen Dawson enjoyed a luxury vacation with her husband Bradley – the couple married in February 2022 – at their luxury villa in Turtle Bay Resort on the island, which was a filming location for the 1980 hit movie, when she was found dead on July 9. Her husband is being held as an accused for her murder.

THE A 39-year-old woman was found dead in one of the private beach huts, but her cause of death has not yet been determined. Her husband, according to the Daily Mail, was said to be “nowhere to be found” soon after the body was discovered, before he was later arrested and charged with the pharmacist’s murder.

Her devastated friends told the DailyMail.com that they were shocked and that their friend looked very happy after her wedding.

The luxurious crime scene

Turtle Bay is located on the private island of the same name and costs a whopping $2,400 to $3,500 per night, according to DailyMail.com. The high-end all-inclusive resort has a five-night minimum stay, and the only guests accepted are couples.

The tropical island hosts at least one newlywed couple per week, and only 14 couples – as many as its villas – can stay on the island at any one time.

Children are welcome, but only during designated weeks called Turtle Island Family Time, the travel site said. When visitors arrive at Fiji board a small seaplane for a short flight to the private Turtle Beach.

The 500 acre beach resort is dotted with 14 villas separated by lush vegetation and ocean views, and features 12 private beacheswhich are among the top attractions of the island.

Every guest of the resort has it personal butlerwho organizes picnics and dinners, while there is the option of island tours, horseback riding, snorkeling, diving and sunset cruises and even personal massages.

Room interiors feature vaulted ceilings woven from palm trees tied with coconut husk cords, known as magi magi, according to the resort’s website, while spacious and inviting rooms are decorated with handmade furniture from mahogany, artworks and treasures found on the island, giving visitors the feeling that they have just entered a heavenly world, away from the routine and stress of everyday life.

Awarded the Trip Advisors 2020 Traveler’s Choice Awards, Travel and Leisure World’s Best Awards 2020 and Traveler’s Choice Awards, the resort is described as one of the most sought-after destinations in the world, with various celebrities including Julia Robertsto have visited the tropical paradise.

The acquaintance of the couple

The couple met in 2015when they were planning a mutual friend’s bachelorette party, with Christe’s friends claiming that what brought them together was their love of long distance running and the charity. The couple also shared a passion for the Chicago Cubs, as they both hail from the Windy City

“I’m shocked. I just texted all my friends and my husband telling them I hope it’s not real but my husband told me it is. She was so excited to get married and have children,” said the ill-fated pharmacist’s friend Rena Schomburg.

She said Christe was a talented baker who had run a bakery in Colorado and always gave her sweet treats. He added that Christe always wanted to study pharmacy and moved to Tennessee, where he attended the University of Tennessee. “It’s so sad,” she said, recalling how full her friend’s life had been.

Christe’s friends for the unfortunate pharmacist

Schomburg told the Daily Mail that, as an only child, she used to travel with her mom to far-flung places, posting her experiences on social media.

She described her friend as “extremely sweet, kind, outgoing, generous and so much fun.” Schomburg said she never met Bradley, but speculated that Christe may have met him through the marathon.

Christe’s friend Matt Koenig was shocked to hear the news of his friend’s death. “Christe was loving, funny, generous, the kind of person who could make friends with anyone,” he said, adding, “It’s a tough day.”

The accusation of the husband for the murder of the pharmacist

It is not clear at which resort the killing took place, but according to reports it was in the Yasawa Islands or Mamanucas Island. THE Dawson was ‘missing’ on the remote island, known for its pristine beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, palm trees and lush vegetation, until the police found him and he was taken into custody.

He refused to submit his DNA for forensic testing when asked by the police prosecutor, and was later issued a court order before Magistrate Sekonaia Vodokisolomone at the Lautoka Magistrate’s Court, as reported by the Fiji Sun and reproduced by the Daily Mail.

Meanwhile, a team has been sent to the island to investigate the alleged murder, FBC News reported. Last Wednesday, Dawson appeared before the judgeSekonaia Vodokisolomone at the Lautoka court, with the judge stating that Dawson had committed a “criminal offence” and the case will be transferred to the Supreme Court of Lautoka, according to information reported by the Daily Mail.

Police prosecutor Inspector Arvind Kumar asked the court to order Dawson to provide a DNA sample because he refused when initially asked. When the Daily Mail reached out to Dawson’s attorney, Iqbal Khan said he was unavailable, while Khan told FOX13 Memphis that was unable to confirm how Christe died, but said his client maintains his innocence.