On Friday, Olmos Park police, Texas State Police, Bexar County Prosecutor Joe Gonzalez and Brad Simpson’s brother spoke to the media for the first time since the murder charges.
SAN ANTONIO — Olmos Park Police and the Texas Department of Public Safety held a press conference Friday, a day after Suzanne Simpson’s husband Brad was charged with murder.
Brad Simpson, 53, has been in jail since October 9th. Weeks of searches at multiple sites in the area found no evidence of what happened to the 51-year-old’s wife after she disappeared a month ago.
And on Thursday, Texas DPS announced there was enough evidence to charge him with murder.
Suzanne Simpson, a real estate agent and mother of four, was last seen on October 6 near her family’s home on East Olmos Drive. A neighbor told investigators he heard the two arguing and then witnessed Brad physically restraining his wife. Brad was initially charged with assault on a family member, unlawful restraint, and unlawful possession of a rifle, police said.
On Friday, Olmos Park police, along with Texas State Police, Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzalez, and Brad Simpson’s brother, met with the media for the first time since the murder charges were filed.
Olmos Park Police Chief Fidel Villegas said there was still no sign of Suzanne’s body, even though Suzanne was confirmed dead on suspicion of murder.
“While we know this does not bring closure to Suzanne’s family, we hope that this will allow them to enter the next stage of their grieving process with more clarity,” Villegas said. the chief said.
Brad’s brother, Barton Simpson, also spoke to the media. He said he and the rest of his family are still grieving but relieved that charges have been filed.
“It’s always important to do the right thing, especially when it’s the most difficult thing to do,” Barton Simpson said. “While this situation is heartbreaking for us, we take some comfort in knowing that authorities have gathered enough evidence to proceed with charges. This means that Suzanne is no longer with us. It helps me accept the reality that I’m not there.
He said he and his family will continue to press Brad to cooperate with police regarding the whereabouts of Suzanne’s body.
“It is our sincere hope and prayer that Brad will have the compassion and courage to end this family’s suffering and work with authorities to help find his wife,” Burton Simpson said.
At a subsequent press conference, DPS spokesman Deon Cockrell confirmed that authorities were searching the Bandera area and that law enforcement had added Suzanne to the list of places they were searching. They also searched sites in Olmos Park and Kendall County, as well as a landfill east of San Antonio.
“That’s one of the areas where the evidence led us, and we continue to search wherever we find evidence,” Cockrell said of the location in the Bandera area.
Cockrell echoed a sentiment echoed by law enforcement over the last month, pleading with the public to come forward with any new information as the search for the body continues.
“If the public has any information, we ask that you please contact the Olmos Park Police Department or the Department of Public Safety,” Cockrell said. “Even though we have not stopped searching for Suzanne Clark Simpson, the district attorney will begin the process with the prosecution stage.”
Cockrell also said Brad Simpson has not had contact with his children since his arrest.
Suzanne was last seen on Oct. 6 in the Olmos Park neighborhood north of downtown San Antonio. Bail on Brad’s murder charge was set at $2 million, bringing his total bail on all charges against him to $5 million.
A judge sealed his murder warrant until Dec. 7.
Watch the full press conference below.
