SAN ANTONIO — While investigators have publicly said they have yet to find evidence of Suzanne Simpson's remains ever since the Bexar County woman's October disappearance, family members told KENS 5 they were informed by law enforcement that her DNA was found on a motorized saw.
That update comes the same week that Suzanne's 53-year-old husband, Brad Simpson, was indicted for murder and other charges related to the case, which began when she was last seen in their Olmos Park neighborhood the evening of Oct. 6. Brad was also indicted Tuesday on charges of aggravated assault, possession of a prohibited weapon, tampering with a corpse and tampering with physical evidence.
It was the indictment for that last charge that said Brad allegedly tried to conceal a reciprocating saw – tools that are typically small, handheld and machine-powered – as a way to "impair its availability as evidence" on Oct. 8, one day before he was arrested. Law enforcement have not expanded publicly on how he tried to hide the tool or what kind of evidence may have been found on it.
Brad has been uncooperative with police regarding the investigation surrounding his 51-year-old wife's disappearance. But investigators were able to pinpoint his location after Suzanne went missing and found he was driving around with a bulky item under a tarp, according to arrest records.
Chandler Simpson, one of the couple's daughters, reacted to the developments on Instagram by writing: “My sibling and I are my mother’s voice, soul and body. As my mom devoted her life to loving us, making us a home, and helping others find theirs. Now without her, we are broken and beginning to build our new home. Let my moms (sic) name not be remembered in mutilation but in light, salvation and Christ.”
What's next in the case?
Brad Simpson's case has been transferred to the 437th Criminal District Court, overseen by Judge Joel Perez. Brad's first court appearance is scheduled for Monday.
A trial date hasn't yet been set.
How much prison time does he face?
Brad Simpson is not contending with the possibility of spending two to 99 years or even the rest of his life in prison, depending on how the case unfolds from here.
It also depends on which charges he's found guilty of. Here's a breakdown:
- Murder (first-degree felony): Five to 99 years or life in prison.
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury to a family member (first-degree felony): Five to 99 years or life in prison.
- Tampering with a corpse (second-degree felony): Two to 20 years in prison.
- Tampering with physical evidence (third-degree felony): Two to 10 years in prison.
- Possession of a prohibited weapon (third-degree felony): Two to 10 years in prison.
