Britney Ujlaky: Betrayed by the One She Trusted Most

Spring Creek, Nevada, was a quiet, close-knit community where everyone knew each other — and for 16-year-old Britney Ujlaky, life was full of promise. A passionate cowgirl and rodeo enthusiast, she spent her days riding horses, working on her family’s ranch, and dreaming of a future she could barely imagine. Friends described her as spirited, kind-hearted, and full of ambition. She talked about joining the U.S. Navy one day and even hoped to become a special effects makeup artist.

But all of that came to a tragic end in March 2020 — and the person responsible was someone she considered a friend, even like a big brother.

Bryce Dickey, 18 at the time, had known Britney for years through the local rodeo circuit. They appeared close, trusted each other, and shared a bond that seemed harmless. That trust would be the very thing that led to her death.

Britney Ujlaky

On March 8, 2020, Britney accepted a ride from Bryce. She never made it home. At first, Bryce tried to cover his tracks, telling police he had dropped her off at school and seen her get into a stranger’s truck. But nothing in his story could hold up against the evidence.

Three days later, Britney’s body was discovered in a remote area called Burner Basin, partially clothed. The medical examiner confirmed what the community feared: she had been raped, strangled, and stabbed. A used condom left at the scene would become the key piece of evidence linking Bryce to the crime.

Investigators uncovered more than just DNA. A bloody sweatshirt and boots found in Bryce’s truck, along with inconsistencies in his stories, painted a horrifying picture of betrayal. Bryce, the “big brother” figure in Britney’s life, had manipulated the investigation and attempted to hide his crime.

Bryce was arrested on March 19, 2020, charged with first-degree murder and sexual assault with a deadly weapon. By May 2022, the court found him guilty, and he was sentenced to approximately 70 years in prison. His appeals were denied, and he is now serving his sentence at Lovelock Correctional Center in Nevada.

Britney Ujlaky | Bryce Dickey

Britney’s story has been retold on Dateline NBC and Oxygen’s Dateline: Unforgettable, but even media coverage cannot erase the shock and grief her community felt. She had trusted someone who pretended to care for her, and that trust was destroyed in the most brutal way imaginable.

Her life may have been cut short, but Britney is remembered for her energy, her love of life, and her dreams. Her story serves as a heartbreaking reminder: trust is precious, and sometimes the people we think we know best can be the ones we need to watch most carefully.

The questions linger: How do we protect children in small, tight-knit communities? How can we recognize danger when it comes from someone familiar? And most importantly, how do we make sure that victims like Britney are never forgotten?