Neighbors remember kindness of man killed by caregiver in Charlotte Ranchettes

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WINK)—A tragic event has shaken the Charlotte Ranchettes community.

Paul Bradley, who neighbors describe as a kind and generous man, was murdered in his home on the corner of Gewant Boulevard and Ameropa Drive. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon, leaving neighbors in shock. 

Shannon Giblin, who neighbors say Bradley hired as a caregiver, has confessed to the brutal stabbing, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. Neighbors who knew Bradley say they suspected Giblin's involvement even before the official announcement.

Adam LaFleur, a close neighbor and friend of Bradley, shared his memories of him.

"He came over all the time. We were over at his house all the time," said LaFleur.

They weren't related, but LaFleur looked out for Bradley as if they were family.

"We had an emergency radio set up so he could call us 24 hours a day. All he had to do was push the button," LaFleur said. "I guess he didn't have it in his hands at the time."

Neighbors say Bradley hired Giblin to help around the house and allowed her to move in less than two weeks before his death. LaFleur explained that Bradley had felt sympathy for Giblin's story.

"What she was telling him just didn't sound right," said LaFleur.

Giblin had claimed her husband left her, and she had nowhere else to go. Bradley offered her a place to stay, but within a week, LaFleur noticed troubling signs.

"Paul let her move in, and within a week, less than a week, she was already showing signs of being a troubled woman, didn't want to do anything," LaFleur said.

Bradley and LaFleur had plans to meet on the day of the incident. LaFleur misses his friend and offers a warning to others.

"Make sure that whoever you let into your life or let too close to you, make sure that you vet them. Make sure that you've talked to some people and you've gotten some information on whether they have a reputation," LaFleur said. "Don't assume they are good people just because you meet them once or twice and they have a sob story."

 Despite the tragedy, LaFleur emphasized not losing kindness, which was a defining trait of Bradley.

"He wanted to do things that were meaningful for people," said LaFleur.

Currently, Shannon Giblin is under arrest under charges of murder (not premeditated) and grand theft of a motor vehicle. The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the circumstances leading to the stabbing.