At a Glance
- Gabrielle (Britney) Lynn Ujlaky, 16, vanished on March 8, 2020.
- Her body was discovered three days later, and her friend Bryce Dickey was charged.
- Dickey was found guilty and sentenced to 70 years in prison.
On March 8, 2020, a 16-year-old from Spring Creek, Nevada, disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Three days later, her partially clothed body was found in the Nevada desert, leading to a swift investigation that culminated in the conviction of her friend, Bryce Dickey.
The Disappearance
On March 8, 2020, Gabrielle Ujlaky was reported missing by her family. She lived in Spring Creek with her parents and siblings. The day she vanished, her friend told police he saw her get into a green pickup truck with a “tall cowboy.”
The Discovery
Three days later, on March 11, 2020, police found Ujlaky’s body under a tarp on a desolate stretch of road. The scene included a used condom, which later tested positive for DNA from both Ujlaky and Dickey. A coroner’s report determined she was raped, strangled, and brutally stabbed.
The Investigation
Police searched for the green Ford F-150 and its driver. They concluded that Dickey was lying about the pickup. DNA evidence from the condom contradicted his initial statement that he had never had sex with Ujlaky. He later changed his story to admit sexual contact.
Dickey was arrested on March 12, 2020 and charged with:
- Open murder using a deadly weapon
- Felony murder during a sexual assault or attempted sexual assault using a deadly weapon
His lawyer pleaded not guilty, but prosecutors maintained that the evidence proved otherwise.
The Trial
During the 2022 trial, prosecutors presented a detailed criminal complaint. They alleged that on the day of the disappearance, Dickey:
- Choked Ujlaky by wrapping a ligature around her neck
- Raped her
- Slashed her throat and cut her carotid artery in half
They also introduced:
- Bloody boots found in Dickey’s closet
- A witness who testified that Dickey had previously dated her and had repeatedly choked her at least four times
The jury deliberated for four hours before returning a guilty verdict on all charges.
The Verdict and Sentence
Dickey was sentenced to 70 years in prison. His conviction marked a grim milestone in the case, ending the uncertainty that had plagued the Ujlaky family.
Legacy
Saquarra Ashby, a childhood friend, shared that Ujlaky had big plans: she wanted to join the Navy to travel and pursue a career as a special effects makeup artist. “She would have made an amazing Rodeo Queen,” Ashby said. “But she never got the chance.”
Her father, James Ujlaky, expressed his heartbreak in a statement to the Daily Beast: “There’s no worse betrayal than this. She really thought he was a good friend.”
The case underscores the importance of thorough investigations and the impact of community support in the pursuit of justice.
Key Takeaways
- Ujlaky vanished on March 8, 2020; her body was found on March 11.
- DNA evidence linked Dickey to the crime scene.
- Dickey was convicted in 2022 and sentenced to 70 years.
- The case remains a painful reminder of the consequences of betrayal.
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