Roommate Arrested for Allegedly Poisoning Couple's Food

Surveillance footage captures 42-year-old man spraying substance on shared kitchen items

Apr. 12, 2026 at 11:53am

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An extreme close-up of a kitchen spice jar lid with a fine mist of an unknown liquid substance sprayed on it, against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.Surveillance footage captured a roommate allegedly spraying an unknown substance on the couple's food, raising alarms about safety and trust in shared living situations.Santa Clarita Today

A California couple's nightmare became reality when surveillance cameras allegedly captured their 42-year-old roommate, Timothy Bradbury, spraying an unknown substance on the couple's food, drinks, and other kitchen items. The couple, Billy and Sonhopper, had previously reported concerning behavior by Bradbury to police, and the decisive evidence from the home cameras led to his arrest on charges of willful poisoning.

Why it matters

This case raises serious concerns about safety and trust in shared living situations, as well as the challenges of addressing mental health issues that may underlie such troubling incidents. It also highlights the importance of clear evidence when dealing with escalating conflicts between roommates.

The details

According to authorities, the Sonhoppers reported seeing Bradbury on surveillance footage wearing a gas mask and spraying an unknown substance on their food, including fruits, vegetables, cereals, and spices. The couple had previously sought help from police over past accusations that Bradbury attempted to set the house on fire and damaged their clothing. After the latest incident on February 24, police were called and Bradbury initially refused to exit the home, but eventually left voluntarily after the involvement of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Mental Evaluation Team.

  • On February 24, police were called to the residence and Bradbury was detained.
  • Bradbury had previously been accused of attempting to set the house on fire and damaging the couple's clothing over the past year they had lived together.

The players

Timothy Bradbury

A 42-year-old man who was the roommate of the couple and has been arrested on charges of willful poisoning of food, drink, medicine, or water with the intent to cause injury.

Billy and Sonhopper

A California couple who lived with Bradbury and reported his concerning behavior to the police, including the surveillance footage allegedly showing him spraying an unknown substance on their food.

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What they’re saying

“Everything in the kitchen was treated with the substance - from fruit and vegetables to cereals and spices.”

— Billy Sonhopper, Resident

What’s next

Authorities will continue to investigate the case and determine the appropriate charges and penalties for Bradbury. The couple may also pursue legal action against their former roommate.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of establishing clear safety protocols and conflict resolution mechanisms for shared living situations, as well as the need to address mental health concerns that may underlie such troubling behavior. It also raises questions about how to balance individual privacy, community security, and the rights of all parties involved.