“Highway to Hell” is a true-crime series on Investigation Discovery, with the episode “Murder in the Fast Lane” focusing on the murder of Dr. Gulam Moonda. This episode details the events surrounding the 2005 killing of Dr. Moonda on the Ohio Turnpike. The episode delves into how a seemingly random highway robbery turned out to be a calculated murder-for-hire plot. At TV Acute, we’re breaking it all down for you—what happened, who was involved, and where the key players, Donna Moonda and Damian Bradford, are today. Stick with us for a clear, engaging look at this infamous case!
Gulam Moonda Murder: The Tragic End
Dr. Gulam Moonda was a beloved urologist known for his generosity and dedication. Gulam was born on August 10, 1935, in Gujarat, India, to an encouraging family, with two sisters, Zubaida Bai and Hajyani Kulsum Bai, in addition to two brothers, Hajee Satter and Hajee Dada Ahmad Sait. His desire to help others motivated him to study medicine in India before arriving in Philadelphia in the 1960s to finish his urology residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center.
In the 1970s, Gulam met Donna, a nurse who shared his love for the medical field. Despite a 20-year age gap, their connection was instant. They married in 1990 and built a life together in Hermitage, Pennsylvania. Though they didn’t have kids, Gulam treated his nephew, Faroq Moonda, like a son. Life seemed perfect—until May 13, 2005, when everything changed.
That day, Gulam, Donna, and Donna’s mother, Dorothy Smouse, were driving on the Ohio Turnpike to Toledo to check out a house for Faroq. Around 6:25 PM, Donna pulled over, saying she had stomach cramps. As Gulam stepped out to switch seats, a masked gunman approached, demanded his wallet, and shot him in the head. Gulam died instantly, and the shooter fled, leaving a 9mm shell casing behind. The Ohio State Highway Patrol arrived at a grim scene, and the investigation kicked off fast.
A Robbery or Something More Sinister?
At first, the Gulam Moonda murder looked like a robbery gone wrong. Donna told police the gunman was about 5’3”, wore a ski mask, and drove a dark minivan. Dorothy couldn’t add much detail. Detectives found gunshot residue on Gulam, confirming a close-range shot, but the trail seemed cold. They checked a similar minivan spotted nearby, but the driver wasn’t involved. Donna even pointed fingers at a fired male nurse, but his alibi was airtight.
Then, a surprising lead emerged. Police wondered if someone had followed the family from a rest stop, knowing Gulam often carried cash. But the Service Plaza’s surveillance showed nothing useful. The situation changed when two anonymous tipsters and Donna’s parole officer identified Damian Bradford, a 23-year-old with a murky background. On May 20, 2005, police searched his home, finding two cell phones, steroids, fentanyl, and $50 bills tied to Gulam. Cell records placed Bradford near the crime scene, contradicting his girlfriend’s alibi for him.
The Affair That Fueled a Murder Plot
The investigation took a turn when police received tips pointing to Donna’s extramarital affair with Bradford, a 22-year-old drug dealer she met in rehab after being convicted of stealing narcotics from her workplace. Donna had been supporting Bradford financially, including helping him buy a car and rent an apartment. An anonymous call and information from Donna’s parole officer, Chris Sotter, suggested the murder was premeditated. Police found items linked to Gulam, including cash and steroids, at Bradford’s residence, and cell phone records placed both Donna and Bradford at the crime scene, contradicting Bradford’s fiancée’s alibi.
Why? Money. A prenup meant Donna would get just $250,000 if she left Gulam. But if he died, she’d inherit a chunk of his $2–3 million estate, plus $700,000 in life insurance. Prosecutors later argued she saw Bradford as her ticket to millions. Bradford cracked under pressure, admitting he shot Gulam at Donna’s urging, staging it as a robbery. The Gulam Moonda murder wasn’t random—it was a cold-blooded conspiracy.
Damian Bradford’s Trial and Plea Deal
Bradford’s trial started in July 2006. Facing the death penalty, he took a deal. He pleaded guilty to interstate stalking and using a firearm during the crime, agreeing to testify against Donna. In exchange, he got 17.5 years in federal prison, plus five years of supervised release. His testimony was crucial, painting Donna as the mastermind who promised him a cut of the inheritance. It was a bold move, but it saved him from a harsher fate.
Donna Moonda’s Conviction
Donna’s trial kicked off on June 18, 2007, and it was a media frenzy. Prosecutors laid out a mountain of evidence: text messages, call logs, and witness accounts proving her affair with Bradford. They showed she’d planned the Gulam Moonda murder for financial gain, offering Bradford a slice of the fortune. The defense attempted to rewrite the story by asserting that Bradford had manipulated Donna, but the jury rejected this claim.
On July 6, 2007, Donna was found guilty of murder-for-hire, interstate stalking resulting in death, and two firearm charges. On September 21, 2007, she was sentenced to life without parole for the murder-for-hire count, plus 360 months for the other charges, to run concurrently. Her appeals, arguing unfair sentencing, went nowhere. Today, she’s at Tallahassee Federal Correctional Institution in Florida, where she’ll spend the rest of her days.
Where Are Donna Moonda and Damian Bradford Now?
Donna Moonda, now in her late 60s, stays in prison. Her efforts to overturn her conviction have failed, and she is facing life in prison. The woman who once led a comfortable life alongside a respected doctor has become a cautionary tale of greed gone wrong.
Bradford’s story doesn’t end neatly either. Released in 2021 after serving 15 years, he couldn’t stay out of trouble. In 2022, he shot a Pennsylvania state trooper, landing him back in court. The court convicted him of attempted homicide and aggravated assault in November 2023, imposing a sentence of 36.5 to 73 years in state prison. A month later, the court tacked on 10 more years for violating his supervised release. He’s now at the State Correctional Institution—Albion in Pennsylvania, far from the freedom he briefly tasted.
FAQs
What happened to Dr. Gulam Moonda?
Dr. Gulam Moonda was shot and killed on May 13, 2005, on the Ohio Turnpike during a staged robbery orchestrated by his wife, Donna Moonda, and her lover, Damian Bradford.
Where is Donna Moonda now?
Donna is serving a life sentence without parole at Tallahassee Federal Correctional Institution in Florida for her role in the murder-for-hire plot.
What is Damian Bradford doing now?
Bradford, after his 2021 release, was convicted again in 2023 for shooting a state trooper. He’s serving 36.5–73 years, plus 10 years for violating release terms, at SCI Albion in Pennsylvania.
Where can I watch the Gulam Moonda case documentary?
Catch Highway to Hell: Murder in the Fast Lane on Discovery Plus, Hulu, Prime Video, or Apple TV, depending on your region.
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