HAYDEN LAKE, Idaho – The investigation into the death of Kenneth “Brad” Caldero, found dead with traumatic injuries near the northeast corner of Hayden Lake, remains open. The 35-year-old was discovered on Monday, with blood smeared on a nearby porch and his body just yards away.
Caldero’s family says he was released from rehab a week before his death. Mariah Caldero, Brad’s sister, spoke about her brother’s struggles. “He just had his demons he had to fight off and it was a very hard fight for him,” she said.
Mariah shared the family’s confusion and sadness. “Honestly, it’s really horrible how he has to die and how he had to be alone,” she added.
Brad was a veteran who served as a sniper in Afghanistan. He returned home with severe trauma and PTSD, leading to drug use. Mariah stated, “Don’t know if maybe he, you know, gave into those voices, but he definitely knew that he was hurt and he was trying to find help.”
Mariah recalled the moment she learned of her brother’s death. “That’s when I heard my mother’s wails and I knew right then I knew exactly what it was for, it was because my brother had passed,” she said.
In 2018, Brad was arrested for fighting police and admitted to taking meth to control his nightmares. Mariah recounted, “He’s told my parents that he would have these nightmares where he would see all the faces of all the people he had killed…and they would keep calling to him.”
Brad was inspired to join the military by his family’s service, becoming a third-generation veteran. “He just has so many amazing, wonderful stories and my brother was really inspired by that,” Mariah said.
Despite his struggles, Brad remained a beloved big brother. Mariah shared, “But my brother was always there for me, and he always made sure nobody picked on me through high school and everything like that. He was just such a joy.”
The investigation into Brad Caldero’s death continues.
