“Open Desert”: Gabrielle “Britney” Ujlaky Homicide on ‘Dateline’ December 7 2023
“Dateline NBC” is set to air an episode titled “Open Desert” on December 7, 2023, at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT, delving into the harrowing case of Gabrielle “Britney” Ujlaky. The feature will explore the intricate details of the crime, the investigation, and the subsequent trial that led to the conviction of Bryce Dickey, a young man from Elko, Nevada, found guilty of first-degree murder and sexual assault with a deadly weapon.
Contents
Case Background
In a case that shook the community of Elko, Nevada, Bryce Dickey, a 20-year-old man, was found guilty of the heinous crime of first-degree murder and sexual assault with a deadly weapon. The victim was 16-year-old Gabrielle “Britney” Ujlaky, a teenager who tragically met her demise at the hands of someone she considered a close friend.
The Crime and Investigation
On March 8, 2020, Bryce Dickey, then 18, was the last person to see Gabrielle alive. He picked her up from Angel Park in Elko. Three days later, Gabrielle’s body was discovered in a remote desert area known as Burner Basin. She was found wrapped in a blue tarp, with a fatal stab wound to her neck. This brutal act was not just a murder but also a betrayal, as Gabrielle had known Dickey for years, primarily through the local rodeo community, and considered him a big brother figure.
Dickey initially fabricated a story about dropping Gabrielle off at Spring Creek High School, claiming she left in a green Ford F-150 pickup truck with an unknown man. However, his narrative soon fell apart under scrutiny. The inconsistency in his accounts, combined with the discovery of his DNA on a condom near Gabrielle’s body and under her fingernails, pointed toward his guilt.
The Trial and Conviction
After a week-long trial and a mere four hours of deliberation, the jury at Elko District Court unanimously found Dickey guilty on all charges. The evidence against him was overwhelming, including testimonies that painted a picture of a man capable of violence. A former girlfriend testified about being choked by Dickey, unraveling his facade of innocence.
The Impact on the Community
The tragedy has left the community and Gabrielle’s family in profound grief. Her mother, Alisha Ujlaky, remembered her daughter as a bright, beautiful light with a love for horses and rodeos.
This case has not only brought sorrow but also a sense of betrayal and shock to the Elko community. Dickey, who was perceived as a “big brother” figure, displayed a chilling lack of remorse during the trial. The judge, Mason Simons, emphasized the brutality of the crime, highlighting the loss of a young woman with a promising future.
The conviction of Bryce Dickey for the murder and sexual assault of Gabrielle “Britney” Ujlaky served as a stark reminder of the potential for evil lurking beneath the surface of seemingly normal relationships.
