Missing realtor Suzanne Simpson's family forced to hold funeral without body as 'killer' husband begs to see kids
Missing Texas realtor Suzanne Simpson's alleged killer husband begged to see their kids the day before her family held a funeral for her.
Brad Simpson, 53, was arrested on October 9 in Kendall County - three days after the 51-year-old mother-of-four was last seen late at night outside the front of her $1.5 million home in the city's ritzy Olmos Park having an altercation with him.
During court on Thursday, Brad and his attorney Steven Gilmore asked 437th State District Judge Joel Perez if the father could see his children.
He was allowed to see three of them, as a no-contact order remains in place for the fourth, and youngest child.
The fourth child might end up being a witness in the case, as investigators said she previously reported to her teachers that her father hit her mother, My San Antonio reported.
A no-contact order was initially in place for the couple's two adult children, but it was lifted. Brad's kids still don't want to see their father right now, but might want to in the future, according to a Bexar County Prosecutor.
Brad is allowed to see his fourth child, a 15-year-old, but a no harmful contact order was issued on Thursday, the outlet reported.
Suzanne's funeral will be held on Friday at a Presbyterian church in San Antonio, but exact details have not been made public.
Suzanne Simpson, the missing 51-year-old Texas realtor will be laid to rest on Friday at a private funeral at a Presbyterian church in San Antonio
On Thursday, he alleged killer husband, Brad Simpson, 53, asked a judge to see his four children, whom he shares with Suzanne
On the day Suzanne vanished, the couple were walking toward nearby bushland when a neighbor heard screams. She hasn't been seen since, leading cops to believe she's dead, but her body has not yet been found.
The neighbor said he saw Brad 'grabbing her upper torso area to gain control of her body,' according to a police report.
On December 3, Brad was also formally charged with second degree tampering with evidence with the intent to impair a human corpse, third degree possession of prohibited weapons and third degree tampering/fabricating physical evidence with the intent to impair.
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.
'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.
Brad was arrested on October 9 in Kendall County - three days after Suzanne was last seen late out the front of her $1.5 million home in the city's ritzy Olmos Park having an altercation with him
'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.'
On December 9, Brad was seen smiling in court during his first appearance since being charged with his wife's murder.
Dressed in an all-red prisoner outfit, he appeared jittery as he sat in a swivel chair and swayed back and forth in a San Antonio courtroom.
Brad sat mostly silent during the brief hearing, only uttering 'yes' when the judge confirmed his identity and speaking quietly with his attorney, Steven Gilmore.
He stood with his gaze directed toward the ground and his muscular arms handcuffed in front of him as the judge spoke.
Brad and Suzanne's daughter, Chandler Simpson, claimed on social media that Brad 'took my mother's life in a state of rage and control,' adding that he was abusive.
Brad and Suzanne's daughter, Chandler Simpson, claimed on social media that Brad 'took my mother's life in a state of rage and control,' adding that he was abusive. (Pictured: Suzanne Simpson)
On the day Suzanne vanished, the couple were walking toward nearby bushland when a neighbor heard screams. (Pictured: The couple's four-bedroom, five-bathroom Olmos Park home)
The missing woman's mother, Barbara Clark, echoed this sentiment at a vigil that was held to honor her daughter.
The heartbroken mother said that just hours before Suzanne went missing, she received a harrowing call from her.
'She called me up and told me things Brad had done to her physically,' Barbara said.
Barbara explained that Suzanne confided in her, revealing that at about 9pm on October 6, the last day she was seen, Simpson had injured her arm and her back.
During court on Thursday, Judge Perez, who issued a rare gag order on any potential witnesses in the case, reprimanded one family member, accusing her of talking to the media.
On December 10, Perez issued the gag order, forbidding anyone who has provided statement's in the case from talking to the press. He said he chose to do so in order to prevent a future jury from being influenced.
Both Teresa Clark, Suzanne's sister, and Bart Simpson, Brad's brother, spoke to the media following the gag order, but only Teresa was slapped on the wrist for doing so as Bart was not in court Thursday.
'I’m just very scared right now because this whole thing is very upsetting to me,' Clark told the judge.
'This is my little sister, and I feel responsible for her because I’ve known her since I was 3 years old. I would never want anything to happen to her.'
If found guilty, Brad could face anywhere from two to 99 years or life in prison, depending on the jury's verdict
The missing woman's mother, Barbara Clark, explained that Suzanne confided in her, revealing that at about 9pm on October 6, the last day she was seen, Simpson had injured her arm and her back
Brad is not the only one charged for the mother's murder, as his longtime business partner James 'Val' Cotter, 65, was indicted by a grand jury on Monday.
James was hit with felony charges of tampering with evidence with intent to impair an investigation and possession of prohibited weapons in the case of missing realtor, the San Antonio Express-News reported.
He is accused of entering Brad's gunroom on October 8 and removing an AK-47 that prosecutors say was illegally modified into a 'machine gun' and was not properly registered, according to KSAT.
An arrest warrant, obtained by My San Antonio, claims Brad reached out to him that day, asking for help hiding a weapon.
'If you're in Bandera, can you haul a** and meet me at your house,' Brad allegedly wrote.
Brad is not the only one charged for the mother's murder, as his longtime business partner James 'Val' Cotter (pictured), 65, was indicted by a grand jury on Monday in connection to Suzanne's death
He later allegedly told Cotter 'make sure to leave all that s*** in the pump house, especially the gun.'
'Sorry for the urgency, but you're all I got especially now... social media is destroying me,' Brad texted his longtime friend, according to the warrant.
When questioned by police, James initially claimed Brad was referring to a .22 caliber rifle that he had taken from Brad's home.
But an anonymous witness later told police Cotter had actually taken an AK-47 from the family Brad's walk-in vault that was stocked with weapons, according to the warrant.
If found guilty, Brad could face anywhere from two to 99 years or life in prison, depending on the jury's verdict on his charges.
