Huntsville’s Silent Murder
By Lance Lowry / Nena Kelley
HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS — It was supposed to be a day filled with fun as teams of cooks flocked into Huntsville for the 19th annual Chigger Hill Cook Off. The cook off is an International Barbeque Cookers Association (IBCA) sanctioned BBQ contest.
As in years past, trailers filled the 10 acres of land around the American Legion Hall, located approximately 700 feet north of FM 2821 and less than a quarter of a mile east of the Huntsville Police Department. The hall is a Huntsville staple, even bearing its own street name, located at 1919 American Legion Drive in Huntsville.
Smoke filled the air as BBQ pits slowly cooked some of the finest brisket for the two‑day event, which started Friday, April 24, 2026, and ended Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Crowds gathered in the hall as, one by one, the winners of the cook off were announced before a cheerful crowd of onlookers. The first‑place trophy went to Amy Wilson’s team, “Crooked Crown Cookers.” Later on, unknown to many attending, the festivities after midnight would quickly change.
The semi‑darkened 10‑acre lot around the American Legion Hall served as a temporary camp for many of the teams who rested in trailers after the cook off ended and the night’s festivities settled down. Few knew what events were about to unfold.
Placido Christopher Bravo Jr. attended the event that Saturday. Bravo was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, where he served as a Petty Officer from 1988 to 1992. He frequented the Huntsville American Legion Hall as a Legion Rider and active Legionnaire. Many people knew him as Brother Bravo. Earlier that day, Bravo posted a picture of the cook off trophies on his Facebook page.
At 1:27 a.m. on Sunday morning, Huntsville Police and EMS were dispatched to the American Legion Hall, where they found Bravo, age 56, had been brutally beaten. An alleged suspect was quickly identified in what police labeled an aggravated assault with serious bodily injury.
Nathaniel Newbery Losee, age 31 at the time, also attended the cook off that night. Losee served in the National Guard as a Specialist. Huntsville Police identified Losee as the alleged suspect in the aggravated assault and booked him into the Walker County Jail that Sunday.
While 56‑year‑old Bravo lay in a hospital bed dying, the younger 31‑year‑old Losee walked out of the Walker County Jail after posting money for a $25,000 surety bond that Sunday. The younger, confident Losee’s fate would change as Bravo’s condition worsened.
On May 2, 2026, Bravo passed away from complications related to the assault. Two days later, Losee’s bond was revoked and a new charge of murder was filed on May 4, 2026.
Losee has remained in the Walker County Jail. A new bond of $500,000 was set. An examining hearing is scheduled for 9:00 AM in the 12th District Court before Judge David Moorman on Friday, July 24, 2026.
With most homicide cases, the public would expect to see a press release or statement from public officials. Huntsville officials have yet to make a statement on this homicide.
Bravo was a well‑respected member of the Huntsville community. Many people who knew him were unaware of the events that led to his death. A memorial ride was hosted on May 18.
All suspects are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
