Full Breakdown
86-Year-Old Former Pastor Named Suspect in Two Decades-Old Wife Deaths
8/6/2026, 11:03:21 PM
Reopened Homicide Cases Connect Kentucky and Oregon
Police in Louisville, Kentucky, and Gresham, Oregon, are simultaneously investigating the 1972 death of Joyce “Mable” Bridges and the 1993 death of Astrid Bridges. Both women were originally ruled accidental, but later medical-examiner reviews reclassified each as a homicide. The investigations focus on John Thomas Bridges, an 86-year-old retired Seventh-Day Adventist pastor who was married to both women.
Background of John Bridges
John Bridges, a former pastor who has lived in several states—including Kentucky, Oregon, Arkansas, Tennessee, and New England—has not been arrested or charged in either case. He currently resides in Barton County, Missouri, and is married with adult children. Bridges’ career included roles as a teacher, evangelist, and departmental director within the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Timeline of Investigations
- July 5, 1972 – Joyce “Mable” Bridges is found unresponsive in her Louisville home; her death is recorded as an accident.
- July 2, 1993 – Astrid Bridges is found unresponsive outside her Gresham home; the death is also recorded as an accident.
- 2015 – Louisville police exhumed Joyce Bridges’ body; an autopsy reclassifies the death as homicide.
- July 24 – Louisville Metro Police Department’s Cold Case Unit posts a request for public assistance regarding Joyce Bridges’ case.
- July 9 – Gresham police announce that the medical examiner has reclassified Astrid Bridges’ death as homicide.
- July 30 – Gresham detectives travel to Missouri, interview Bridges, and serve a search warrant at his residence.
Data & Statistics
- Two wives of John Bridges have had their deaths reclassified from accidental to homicidal.
- The investigations span a 21-year gap between the two deaths and involve law-enforcement agencies in two states.
Official Statements & Responses
LMPD has not confirmed whether Bridges is a suspect in that case.
Wright also noted that the agencies are working side-by-side to pursue justice for both women.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We consider her husband at the time, John Bridges, to be a suspect in her murder,” — Detective Adam Wright, Gresham Police
- “I don't think we believe him to be a danger to anyone other than maybe a current wife,” — Detective Adam Wright, Gresham Police
- “They obviously have complicated feelings about where things are,” — Detective Adam Wright, Gresham Police
- “It's been a really great cooperation having them working with us side by side to get justice both for Astrid and for Mable Bridges,” — Detective Adam Wright, Gresham Police
Ongoing Investigation
Both departments continue to seek information from the public and have indicated that the inquiries remain open. No charges have been filed against John Bridges in either jurisdiction, and authorities have not disclosed the specific evidence that led to the homicide reclassifications.
