Husband of missing Texas mom Suzanne Simpson charged with murder; family says news brought 'peace'
A Texas husband has been charged with murder more than a month after his wife disappeared in San Antonio, court records show.
Brad Chandler Simpson, 53, remained jailed Friday on $2 million bond, online Bexar County Sheriff's Office records showed.
Court records show Simpson, who was jailed at the time the additional felony charge was filed against him in connection to his wife's disappearance, appeared before a judge Thursday. During the hearing, the judge set conditions of bond in place should he post bail, including he not possess a firearm and undergo routine drug testing, online records show.
His wife, real estate agent Suzanne Simpson, disappeared the night of Oct. 6, the Olmos Park Police Department reported.
Charges 'bring some peace to family,' relative says
Olmos Park Police Chief Fidel Villegas said at a press conference held Friday afternoon that local authorities would continue to search for Suzanne Simpson but had gathered enough to charge Brad Simpson in connection with the death of his wife.
"They're not going to stop searching," Deon Cockrell, Texas Department of Public Safety sergeant said at the news conference. Additional details about the case were not shared by law enforcement at the press conference.
Brad Simpson's brother, Barton, shared a brief message, thanking law enforcement for their tireless efforts to bring Suzanne Simpson home and acknowledged the significance of the charges filed against his brother.
"It's always important to do what is right, especially when it is most difficult," said Barton Simpson. "The situation is heartbreaking for us, but it brings some peace to our family knowing that authorities have gathered enough information to move forward with charges."
The charges, according to Barton Simpson, have allowed the family to start the grieving process.
"This helps us come to terms with the reality that Suzanne is no longer with us, allowing us to continue the difficult process of grieving and focus on rebuilding our lives for the sake of the children and our extended family," Barton Simpson said.
Barton Simpson also implored his brother to do right by his family.
"It is our sincere hope that Brad will find the compassion and the courage to end his family's suffering by cooperating with authorities to help us find his wife," Brad Simpson said.
Simpson last seen outside of her home
Police said the missing woman was last seen outside her home in the suburb of Olmos Park and was reported missing the next day.
The small city is in Bexar County about four miles north of downtown San Antonio.
A neighbor reported seeing an argument between Simpson and her husband Brad become physical after they returned from a party near their home the night she was last seen, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KSAT-TV. The neighbor reported hearing two or three screams a short time later, a detective wrote in the affidavit.
Husband given public defender
Court records show a judge appointed Simpson a public defender in the case.
Attorney Keri Mallon, with the Bexar County Public Defender's Office, told Paste BN Friday the office had no comment on the case.
Steven Gilmore, a court-appointed attorney given to him after he was arrested last month including the assault of a family member previously told the San Antonio Express-News, the charges against Brad Simpson were "ludicrous" and said the case was “theater to incapacitate him, to keep him in custody."
Husband, business partner arrested as search continues
In the midst of searching for Simpson, authorities have arrested her husband and his business partner, James Vallee Cotter. According to the arrest affidavit obtained by KSAT-TV, Brad Simpson was “uncooperative” with the investigation and did not show up to a follow-up interview.
Her husband, according to the arrest affidavit, "appeared to be separating himself from his family" and had sought refuge at his Bandera County ranch. He was arrested Oct. 9, according to the Austin American Statesman, part of the Paste BN Network.
Court records show he was charged with domestic-related unlawful restraint, assault causing bodily injury to a family member, prohibited weapon possession and tampering with evidence. A federal complaint was also filed against him alleging he was in possession of a rifle not registered to him.
The Department of Public Safety announced the arrest of his business partner, James Vallee Cotter, last month. Cotter was charged with prohibited weapon possession. No attorney was listed for Cotter.
Cotter is accused of hiding an AK-47 in the wall of his home because Brad Simpson asked him to, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KENS-TV.
Police have searched landfill, other sites for Suzanne Simpson
Authorities have conducted sweeps at a number of locations, including a local basin and a landfill in the area, to no avail.
Simpson’s sudden disappearance was “highly unusual,” Villegas said at the news conference. "Suzanne was known and is known as a very loving and reliable person, especially with her children and her work. She hasn’t been to work, and she hasn’t contacted her children."
Simpson, whose children are between the ages of 5 and 20, worked as a realtor Nix Realty Company and was "very involved in the school and sports activities of (her) children," according to an online biography accessed by the Statesman.
On Friday, the missing and presumed dead woman's updated biography stated the following:
"Suzanne Simpson is a beloved Mother, Sister, Friend, & Professional Realtor. Her Nix Realty Family is devastated by her disappearance and the reports of physical violence towards her Along with so many others who love Suzanne, we will continue to pray for her."
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for Paste BN. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.