The husband of missing Texas realtor Suzanne Simpson has been indicted by a grand jury for first-degree murder two months after she went missing.
Brad Simpson, aged 53, was taken into custody on October 9 in Kendall County, just three days after the 51-year-old mother of four was last spotted outside her luxurious $1.5 million residence in Olmos Park. It was reported that she was involved in a heated confrontation with Simpson at the time.
The pair was heading towards a wooded area nearby when a resident heard loud screams. Subsequently, the woman went missing and hasn’t been seen since. Law enforcement presumes she met with foul play, although her remains have not been located.
Additionally, on December 3, Simpson faced formal charges related to the case. These charges included second-degree tampering with evidence intending to hinder the discovery of a deceased body, possession of illegal weapons, and tampering with physical evidence to obstruct the investigation.
If found guilty, he could be sentenced anywhere from two to 99 years or life in prison, depending on the charges he is convicted of.
The accused’s family, who have cooperated with the police investigation, said they were ‘deeply troubled and heartbroken’ after the indictment.
‘Our family is deeply troubled and heartbroken by the events surrounding the grand jury indictment of Brad for the tragic death of his wife. The details outlined in the case are disturbing and painful for all involved.
‘We want to express our profound gratitude to the law enforcement agencies for their tireless work and dedication to seeking justice. Their commitment to uncovering the truth is something we hold in the highest regard.
Brad Simpson, 53, husband of missing Texas realtor Suzanne Simpson has been indicted by a grand jury for first-degree murder two months after she went missing.
The 51-year-old mother-of-four was last seen late out the front of her $1.5million home in the city’s ritzy Olmos Park having an altercation with him.
‘We have faith in our criminal justice system and believe that the grand jury has done their sworn duty to review the evidence and determine that it is sufficient to move forward to trial.
‘We urge Brad to do the right thing by fully cooperating with the authorities. For the sake of his children and the family who loves him, we ask him to accept responsibility and place himself at the mercy of the court. It is our sincere hope that through accountability, healing can begin for everyone affected by this devastating loss.
‘We ask for privacy as we navigate this difficult time and thank the community for their understanding and support,’ Bart Simpson, Brad’s brother, wrote in a Facebook post.
The case will be overseen by the 226th District Court Judge Velia J. Meza and a date for his first appearance is to be set.
Court documents previously revealed that Brad had showed ‘no emotion’ in the days after his wife’s sudden disappearance.
Detectives said in a newly unsealed arrest affidavit that his chilling behavior was a factor in them believing Brad ‘intentionally and knowingly caused the death’ of his wife on October 6 in San Antonio.
His emotionless response to the episode continued three days after she was officially recognized as missing, when Brad was initially charged with assault causing bodily injury, family violence and unlawful restraint.
The affidavit alleged he ‘did not appear surprised at the time of his arrest’ nor ‘question’ why he was apprehended.
If found guilty, he could be sentenced anywhere from two to 99 years or life in prison, depending on the charges he is convicted of
When interviewed by a Texas Ranger, Brad appeared ‘unconcerned about his wife being missing and showed little to no emotion,’ the ranger noted per the affidavit, also observing he had several scratches and lacerations on his hands and arms.
It comes weeks after the final known image of Suzanne surfaced from the day she vanished, showing her walking through her exclusive Texas country club.
Hours later, she was said to have been seen running from the mansion she shared with her husband, with police alleging she was the victim of domestic violence.
Texas authorities said that Brad was initially cooperative with police, but alleged he has given conflicting stories when pressed for details over his wife’s disappearance.
He initially claimed he last saw her at 11pm on October 6, hours after the picture at the country club was taken.
Brad was allegedly indifferent to the news that his wife of 22 years and mother of his two children disappeared seven weeks ago, before he was charged with her murder
Cops believe Suzanne is dead and her body has not yet been found
At another point he claimed he last saw her at around 6:30am on October 7, shortly before he said he dropped one of their children off at school.
He claimed to detectives that he ‘peeked into a separate room and observed his wife asleep’ that morning.
When investigators searched through his phone, they reportedly found he had ‘engaged in a series of complete shutdowns’ starting at 11:09pm on October 6 and ending the next day.
He was allegedly going further than turning his phone off and instead put it on ‘Lock Down’ mode, which his arrest affidavit notes is classed by the FBI as ‘done by a person who wants to avoid detection.’
Suzanne was pictured alone at an exclusive, members-only club on the night she vanished
A neighbor claimed to see the couple in a violent fight at their Olmos Park family home (pictured), worth an estimated $1.5million
A neighbor claimed that shortly before that first 11pm shut down, they witnessed Brad and Suzanne in the midst of a heated argument in their garage and were ‘physically struggling’ with each other.
At some point, they said Suzanne ‘was attempting to get away from Mr. Simpson’s grasp as he tried to pull her downward’, and he then chased after her when she ran away, per the affidavit.
The neighbor claimed they heard screams from a wooded area, before Brad re-emerged around an hour later and drove off in his truck.
The new affidavit also said the couple’s five-year-old child was questioned by a school counselor, and the child claimed on the night of October 6 Brad ‘pushed her mother against the wall, hit (physically) her mother on the face and hurt her mother’s elbow inside their residence.’
Brad also allegedly ‘turned off her mother’s phone because they were fighting.’
Police released a photo of Simpson’s black pickup truck, which he was seen traveling in following his argument with Suzanne
Authorities said they believe Suzanne died that night and have seen no evidence she is alive based on cellphone records, financial records, family, friends and co-workers,
Authorities said they believe Suzanne died that night and have seen no evidence she is alive based on cellphone records, financial records, family, friends and co-workers, reports Fox News.
Investigations are ongoing, and according to My San Antonio, local law enforcement has expanded its search to include other Simpson family properties.
Simpson and his family have an extensive real estate portfolio throughout San Antonio and broader Texas.
A thorough investigation of the four bed, five bath Olmos Park family home, worth an estimated $1.5million, has already taken place.
