The Cheryl Keeton story
The Spark: How Two Lives Collided
Love stories often begin with hope and promise, but sometimes the brightest beginnings conceal the deepest shadows. Such was the case when Cheryl Keeton, a brilliant attorney and devoted mother, crossed paths with Bradly Morris Cunningham, a charismatic real-estate developer and former athlete [1]. To outsiders, they seemed to fit—she, strong and principled; he, confident and ambitious.
During their first months together, friends recalled Cheryl and Brad sharing long walks through Seattle’s Green Lake Park, talking about dreams and ambitions. “They were electric,” said Cheryl’s college roommate. “Brad made her laugh, and Cheryl grounded him.”
Cheryl Keeton in Happier Times
They married in Seattle, and from the start their relationship carried both magnetism and tension [1]. Cheryl’s professional reputation preceded her—inside and outside courtrooms, she was known for intelligence, tenacity, and warmth. Brad, meanwhile, thrived on attention and charm.
Charm, like a strong perfume, can initially attract but eventually suffocate. Over time, hints of impatience and control surfaced. One acquaintance recalled that Cheryl “became quieter,” as though she weighed every word before speaking. “Brad was always the center of attention … but he needed to be in control,” said another friend [1].
By early 1986, the marriage had become a courtroom as much as a partnership. Cheryl filed for divorce that February, seeking sole custody of their three sons, citing escalating conflict and fear. Brad objected. The ensuing months would not just dissolve a union—they would unravel a life [2].
From Love to Unease: The Descent of a Marriage
As the divorce date approached, their arguments shifted from legal strategy to emotional warfare. Cheryl’s efforts to protect her children and herself grew urgent: secret recordings, documentation of threats, consultations with allies [2]. She confided in friends that she was “scared, but … fighting for her boys.”
On Sunday, September 21, 1986, Cheryl made two calls to her mother. At 7:59 p.m. she said,
“Mother, I want you to remember this. I’m going down to the Mobil station … I’m going to meet Brad and pick up the children.” [3]
Her mother later recalled Cheryl’s voice was “very stern.” She repeated her plan to Marvin Troseth, her mother’s boyfriend, refusing his offer to accompany her: “No, I cannot leave the kids in the car any longer. I have to go pick up my kids.” [3]
Before leaving, Cheryl wrote a short note summarizing earlier disputes and listing the meeting time at the Mobil/IGA station [3].
That night, between 8:00 and 8:30 p.m., Cheryl’s life ended. Her body was found inside her Toyota van on Sunset Highway (U.S. 26) near Portland — the engine still running, the van askew. A passing motorist noticed and called authorities [3]. Thus ended the love story. Thus began the hunt for truth.
The Investigation: Suspicion, Obstacles & the Weight of Evidence
Investigators faced three obstacles: no direct eyewitnesses, a compromised crime scene, and a bitter custody battle supplying motive. The forensic trail had to speak [2].
Suspicion quickly focused on Brad Cunningham. The hostile divorce, the abrupt change in child-exchange plans, and Cheryl’s “stern” 7:59 p.m. call pointed to him [1][2]. Brad’s reputation for legal savvy complicated matters; he challenged every inference and claimed Cheryl’s statement was inadmissible hearsay [1].
In State v. Cunningham (Oregon Supreme Court, 2004), the court ultimately held Cheryl’s 7:59 p.m. statement admissible as an “excited utterance,” delivered while under emotional stress [1]. Later appeals questioned—but did not overturn—that decision [2].
Key evidence included:
The handwritten note documenting her plan and timeline [1].
Troseth’s testimony, confirming her intent to meet Brad [1].
Detective James Ayers’s report, in which Brad denied arranging the meeting [3].
Witness accounts of Brad’s prior threats that Cheryl would “pay” for her deposition [2].
Inconsistent alibis and attempts to suppress evidence [2].
Prosecutors argued that Cheryl’s meticulous documentation became her posthumous testimony [1].
Apprehension, Trial & Verdict: The Pursuit of Justice
With mounting evidence, police arrested Bradly Cunningham for first-degree murder [3].
The prosecution’s case painted a portrait of a man losing control—not over finances, but over narrative and family. Cheryl’s courage, her notes, and the voices of those she confided in formed the backbone of the trial [1].
The defense attacked hearsay, questioned witness memory, and emphasized the lack of direct forensic proof [2].
The jury weighed the totality: the timeline, documentation, and behavioral pattern. In 1995, Brad Cunningham was convicted and sentenced to life in prison [3]. Subsequent appeals failed to overturn the verdict [1][2].
Years later, from prison, he self-published Ann Rule Deconstructed, attacking the author who had chronicled his case. His conviction stands [3][4].
Honoring Cheryl Keeton: Legacy & Lessons in Love and Trust
Cheryl Keeton was more than a victim. She was a mother, a lawyer, and a woman who, in her last months, strove to speak truth—even under threat. Her voice, preserved in call logs, notes, and memories of loved ones, should not be silenced by legal technicalities or cynicism.
The tragedy of her death reminds us that love is not always benevolent—that devotion can mask coercion, that control can masquerade as concern. Cheryl’s careful documentation was not paranoia; it was a survival instinct in a situation that had spiraled beyond her control.
Broader Impact: Cheryl's Case and Societal Change
Cheryl’s story, brought to public attention through court records and media coverage, notably Ann Rule’s "Dead by Sunset," helped heighten awareness about the complexities of domestic violence and the dangers often lurking in custody disputes. Her case highlighted how controlling behaviors, threats, and intimidation can escalate beyond the reach of traditional legal protections.
Her three true loves.
In Oregon and beyond, her ordeal contributed to ongoing conversations about reforming the admissibility of hearsay in cases involving domestic violence, and underscored the importance of documenting abuse for both personal safety and future legal proceedings. While Cheryl’s case did not directly result in legislation, it became a reference point for advocates and lawmakers pushing for greater protections for victims—especially regarding the use of victim statements in court and the prioritization of child safety in custody decisions.
Cheryl’s Legacy: Advocacy, Remembrance, and Enduring Influence
Cheryl’s legacy endures in several ways. Her family and supporters have continued to honor her life and work, sometimes through private remembrances or local scholarships aimed at helping law students or supporting women in crisis. While no national foundation bears her name, her story remains a touchstone for domestic violence advocacy groups, who cite her experience to educate and empower others facing similar threats.
Ann Rule’s book and subsequent media coverage have kept Cheryl’s memory alive, sparking ongoing dialogue about the legal system’s treatment of domestic violence and inspiring survivors to speak out and seek support. Her children, now grown, have carried her memory forward, sometimes participating in events or interviews that highlight not only the tragedy but the resilience born from her courage.
Through these ongoing efforts—public awareness campaigns, legal reform advocacy, and personal tributes—Cheryl Keeton’s voice continues to resonate. Her determination to document and speak truth, even when her safety was at risk, has become a powerful example of how one person’s courage can inspire broader societal change and foster hope for others in similar circumstances.
What lessons remain?
Never dismiss persistent discomfort in a relationship as mere overreaction.
Document, talk to trusted allies, build a network—especially when your fears feel too heavy for one heart to bear alone.
The legal system is imperfect; sometimes justice arrives late or only partially—but truth has power when honored.
Romantic love does not grant immunity from scrutiny. Charm is not proof of character.
Above all: in matters of safety, intuition deserves space, not silence.
In the end, Cheryl’s story is tragic—but not meaningless. Her fight, her voice, her children’s memory endure. And though Brad Cunningham remains behind bars, the deeper work continues: transforming caution into care, suspicion into wisdom, heartbreak into understanding.
“Love demands truth—and sometimes justice is the long arc by which that truth finds shape.”
CALL TO ACTION
If Cheryl’s story moved you, don’t let it end here.
What signs of unhealthy control or manipulation should never be ignored in a relationship?
👉 Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the conversation at LoveLiesAndScandals.com.
If you or someone you know feels unsafe, reach out—because love should never require silence.
Endnotes
State v. Cunningham (Or. Sup. Ct. 2004) — Evidentiary ruling on Cheryl’s 7:59 p.m. call (“excited utterance”) – Justia Law.
State v. Cunningham (Or. Ct. App. 2002) — Earlier appellate discussion of hearsay/admissibility – vLex.
Murder of Cheryl Keeton overview (1986 timeline, discovery, conviction) – Wikipedia / FindLaw.
Ann Rule, Dead by Sunset (1995) – Context and cultural impact – Wikipedia.