An Arizona man is behind bars after allegedly admitting to fatally beating his wife.

According to AZ Central, Surprise police charged Brandon Gregory, 56, with second‑degree murder, manslaughter, tampering with evidence and concealing a dead body in the death of his 41‑year‑old wife, Alison Gregory. The investigation began May 14 after Alison Gregory failed to pick up a family member at the airport. 

Family members later told police the couple was undergoing a difficult divorce.

Police said they found signs of a possible struggle inside the Gregory residence. They began looking for the couple’s vehicles and found Brandon Gregory in Wikieup, with his wife’s body in the back seat.

Police arrested Brandon Gregory after he allegedly admitted that he killed Allison. 

According to KPHO, Gregory said he had been arguing with Allison when told him to leave their home, which they had been trying to sell. He claimed she kicked him in the groin while holding a wooden bat, prompting him to take it from her. She ran through the house screaming before he struck her several times with the bat, according to what he told police. 

Gregory then reportedly attempted CPR, then tried to clean up the scene before wrapping Allison’s body in carpeting and fleeing. 

Police said Gregory drove his truck to a parking lot, returned home in an Uber, then left in the Subaru. He tossed his wife’s phone and Apple Watch into a gas station trash can in Wickenburg and later dumped the bat in an open field near a campground, according to court documents. 

During a bond hearing last week, Allison’s brother said she had been trying for over a year to leave the defendant.

“He lied and manipulated his way back into her life. She uncovered more lies, lie after lie,” he said. “The guy’s entire life has been a lie. He’s a manipulator and a murderer. We ask that you deny any bond and don’t ever let him out again.”

Allison’s mother, visibly emotional, called Gregory a “coward.”

“Alison struggled so hard to get away from him, and she was so close to it. He took her away from us. Please, please, do not ever let him out again. It’s horrible. My grandchildren, my children, It’s so sickening. He is such a coward. If he wanted to kill somebody, why didn’t he kill himself? I’m sorry, I think that’s it. Brandon, I hate you forever. I hope you never, ever, ever get out of prison.”

A judge set Gregory’s bond as cash-only, $2 million.

[Feature Photo: Allison Gregory/Handout]