Court records reveal troubled marriage in deliberate homicide case

A court document filed earlier this year by a woman who allegedly died by the hands of her husband Dec. 15 reveals more information about the couple’s tumultuous relationship.

Bradley Jay Hillious, 34, is facing one count of deliberate homicide in the death of 33-year-old Amanda Hillious. His bail is set at $750,000.

According to the charging document, the incident occurred Dec. 15, at a residence on Willow Glen Trail, south of Kalispell, just east of U.S. 93.

Amanda Hillious, a mother of four, died Dec. 19.

On Dec. 22, Montana State Crime Lab pathologist Dr. Sunil Prashar determined Amanda Hillious died of blunt force injuries associated with neck compression. Brad Hillious was arrested and booked into the Flathead County Detention Center Dec. 24.

According to court documents, Amanda requested a temporary order of protection in Flathead County District Court April 17 against Brad Hillious and her father-in-law, Scott Hillious. It was granted the same day by Justice of the Peace Eric Hummel. Scott Hillious is believed to have taken his life on Christmas Eve, but officials are still investigating the incident.

In her application for the order of protection, Amanda reported learning that Brad was speaking frequently to a female co-worker in December 2019. When she allegedly confronted him about it, she said he initially didn’t talk about it.

Amanda later said she printed divorce papers and Brad then showed her the text messages between him and the other woman. She said she felt more secure after seeing the messages. But she said he was still “hiding” when texting the other woman, which upset Amanda. Amanda reported Brad began sleeping in another room.

Two days later, Amanda said she spoke with Brad about not wanting a divorce. She said he said he wanted to be divorced and he allegedly said he found the other woman “attractive.” She then told him she had recorded the comments on her phone and he grabbed it and smashed it.

Amanda said she ran to her bedroom to call 911 and while she tried to reach her mother or father, Brad and Scott Hillious were telling her to not to call 911. After officers arrived at the house and heard from Scott Hillious and Amanda, they left and the three people went to sleep in separate bedrooms.

According to the court document, Amanda then asked Brad if she could take the four kids to Oregon to visit her mother.

She said he said “no” at first before agreeing to let them travel to Oregon. But he then allegedly told her not to harm the kids “because other women do it to their kids.”

When Amanda was preparing to leave for Oregon, she said “let’s say bye to papa before we see grandma for a few days.” She said Scott Hillious then began to cry and allegedly said she should sign over her rights before taking the kids.

Amanda said at that point, Brad allegedly pinned her against the sink, head to head, saying she should sign the divorce papers.

She also said Scott Hillious threatened her and said “If you leave with these kids I know three HA’s I can call and put a hit on your head, those are hell’s angels for your information.”

AMANDA THEN called 911 while putting two of the kids in the car. She said when she tried to get in her car, Scott went behind it and said “you better run me over.” She said Brad then allegedly prevented her from getting in the car, smashed the house phone and placed his hands around her neck.

When police officers arrived, Amanda said they told her she couldn’t take the kids to Oregon because Brad changed his verbal consent. Amanda said she left the house with the boys and called some lawyers, according to court documents.

Amanda said she ended up getting a hotel room for the night. She said she had two children with her while the other two stayed at home with Brad. Both asked each other to tell the kids they loved them and both agreed.

In the morning, Amanda said she spoke to an attorney who advised her to get an order of protection because she had no family or friends here.

Court records indicate a hearing set for April 28, 2020, to determine if a longer order of protection would be issued was canceled and rescheduled for May 8.

But a day before the hearing, on May 7, a court document was filed by both attorneys for both Brad and Amanda in which they believed their marital differences may be reconciled. They also indicated the order of protection was an impediment to their reconciliation and they both agreed to seek marital counseling with a mutually agreed upon counselor.

District Court Judge Heidi Ulbricht, who was hearing the case, dismissed the action because both parties had reached an agreement.

A second court document indicated Brad filed for divorce April 21, but the matter was dropped in May when the order of protection was dismissed.

Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino said Child Protective Services workers removed the children from the home sometime after Amanda’s death and Heino said they are with her family members in another state.

Brad Hillious is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7.