Postmortem Depravity: The Murder of Pregnant Mother Alisha Bromfield

Alisha Bromfield was six months pregnant when she was brutally murdered by her boss on August 18, 2012. Photo courtesy of Purple Project.

Alisha Bromfield-Anicich, 21, was a graduate of Joliet Catholic Academy and a student at Western Illinois University. She was only one semester away from graduating with a degree in forensic psychology and criminal justice. Alisha was a go-getter and pursuing her dreams.

Alisha Bromfield was nearly 7 months pregnant when she was murdered by her boss on August 18, 2012. Photo courtesy of Purple Project.

Alisha was also six months pregnant with a little girl she had named Ava. The baby’s father was not around, but that did not discourage her. Alisha was excited to become a mother. She purchased little outfits and baby items that she would need and planned on keeping her job at Home Depot, as it was seasonal employment and she had paid winters off. She was ready for single-motherhood and a career in forensic psychology. Sadly, in the summer of 2012, her excitement and plans were cut short.

Life at Work

Brian Cooper, 36, was Alisha’s supervisor and she had worked with him for 5 years. Cooper was the regional manager at Home Depot garden centers in northern Illinois. He supervised her work and oversaw her work schedule and tasks. The two were not romantically involved but sometimes they would meet after work and Alisha would walk his dog for him from time to time.

Alisha was good at her job and being only 21 and a “soon to be” single mom, her job was especially important. However, her boss was an abusive bully on the job and off. Cooper was known to verbally abuse Alisha in front of coworkers and customers calling her a “whore” and a “slut.” At times, he would even throw things at her. Her family and friends felt she stayed because she did not want to lose her job.

Cooper would tell her to do something and threaten to fire her or cut her hours if she did not comply. He would often schedule Alisha to work when she had doctor’s appointments. His motive to spend more time with her. The admiration was not reciprocated, however.

Cooper told their coworkers that Alisha was his girlfriend, but she had repeatedly rejected him which frustrated him beyond words. According to the Capital Gazette, Alisha reported Cooper’s abuse to upper management, but nothing was…