Suzanne Simpson murder: Texas attorneys sift through evidence as husband’s case rocks affluent neighborhood

More than five months have passed since the disappearance of Suzanne Simpson, a 51-year-old mother of four and a successful real estate agent from San Antonio, Texas. Her case has deeply shaken her family, friends, and the entire community. Suzanne was last seen on October 6, 2024, after a reported argument with her husband of 22 years, Brad Simpson, outside their home in the affluent Olmos Park area. While Suzanne’s body has not been found, authorities believe Brad intentionally caused her death, and he now faces charges of murder, tampering with evidence, aggravated assault, and possession of prohibited weapons. The case is still unfolding, with attorneys on both sides working through a large volume of evidence as they prepare for an upcoming court hearing.

The disappearance of Suzanne Simpson has been a tragic and mysterious ordeal. On the evening of October 6, Suzanne attended a party at The Argyle, an exclusive club in Alamo Heights, with her husband and their 5-year-old daughter. Witnesses reported seeing the couple engaged in a verbal altercation at the event. Later that night, Suzanne and her daughter left the party and stopped at a local H-E-B grocery store, where surveillance footage captured their presence between 8:40 p.m. and 8:51 p.m. They then returned to their home, but the evening took a darker turn. Suzanne called a family friend to say she was on her way to visit, and in another call to her mother, she revealed that Brad had assaulted her, injuring her arm, back, and neck. Tragically, her journey took a devastating turn when she arrived at the family friend’s house around 9:25 p.m.

The events that unfolded after Suzanne arrived at her friend’s house are chilling. A neighbor reported hearing a loud argument between Suzanne and Brad, describing how Suzanne tried to break free from Brad’s grasp as he attempted to pull her down. The neighbor also saw Brad chasing after Suzanne and attempting to grab her. Shortly after, the neighbor heard screams coming from a wooded area across the street. About an hour after witnessing the altercation, the neighbor saw Brad’s truck leave the area, only to return an hour later. This was the last time Suzanne was seen. The following morning, surveillance footage showed Brad’s truck leaving the area, this time carrying a large ice chest. The actions Brad took in the hours and days following Suzanne’s disappearance have raised significant suspicions and formed a critical part of the evidence against him.

In the hours after Suzanne was last seen, Brad’s movements were captured by multiple surveillance cameras, revealing a series of suspicious activities. On the morning of October 7, Brad was seen at a San Antonio H-E-B, where his truck was carrying a large ice chest. Later that morning, camera footage captured Brad purchasing items at a drive-thru in Kendall County, including three white trash bags, a heavy-duty trash can, an ice chest, and a bulky item wrapped in a blue tarp secured with a firewood rack. These purchases, along with a trip to a nearby Home Depot where Brad bought cement, a construction bucket, heavy-duty trash bags, disinfectant spray, and insect repellent, have become key pieces of evidence in the case. Brad even asked a stranger for directions to a local dump, and his phone was turned off at the time, further raising suspicions. By midday, Brad was seen washing his truck at a car wash in San Antonio, scrubbing both the front and rear-left passenger side. When Suzanne’s friend reported her missing later that evening, Brad claimed he had not seen her since around 11 p.m. the previous night.

As the investigation into Suzanne’s disappearance deepened, authorities uncovered even more disturbing evidence. On October 8, Brad exchanged cryptic text messages with his friend and business partner, James “Val” Cotter, who has also been charged in connection with the case. Brad’s messages, such as “If you’re in Bandera, can you haul a– to meet me at your house?” and “I don’t have much time,” suggested a sense of urgency and secrecy. Cotter, who has been charged with tampering with evidence and possession of prohibited weapons, responded with messages like “Get over here!! I won’t tell anyone” and “You’re my brother.” These exchanges have led investigators to believe that Brad may have sought help in covering up Suzanne’s disappearance. Cotter has since posted bond, but both men remain central figures in the case.

The evidence against Brad Simpson has continued to mount, with authorities uncovering physical evidence linking him to the crime. On October 9, 2024, Texas Rangers executed a search warrant on Brad’s property in Bandera County, where they discovered a burn site containing a burnt laptop and multiple cellular devices. In December, authorities revealed that Suzanne’s DNA had been found on a reciprocating saw in Brad’s possession, a discovery that served as a grim confirmation of her possible fate. Brad has been held in Bexar County Jail on a $3 million bond, with a federal hold related to the weapons charge. His attorney has not commented on the case. The ongoing investigation and legal proceedings have left Suzanne’s family with unanswered questions as they wait for justice. Suzanne’s daughters, who have expressed their own grief and suspicion, continue to grapple with the loss of their mother. The case has also sparked widespread community concern, as many wonder how such a heinous crime could occur in their neighborhood. As the legal process unfolds, the hope for closure for Suzanne’s loved ones remains elusive, but the pursuit of justice presses on.