In a case that has gripped Texas for months, Brad Simpson, the husband of missing realtor Suzanne Simpson, is seeking to have his murder indictment dismissed. Suzanne Simpson, a mother of four, was last seen on October 6, 2024, after a reported argument with her husband. Despite extensive searches and investigations, her whereabouts remain unknown, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
Suzanne’s family and friends reported her missing shortly after she failed to pick up her daughter from school the day after her last known sighting. Initial police inquiries revealed a troubling pattern of alleged domestic violence, with reports of an argument between the couple and witness accounts of a struggle outside their home. A neighbor reported hearing screams coming from the woods nearby, intensifying concerns about Suzanne’s safety.
Police arrested Brad Simpson on October 9, 2024, initially charging him with assault and unlawful restraint. However, as the investigation progressed, he was indicted for murder, a charge based on circumstantial evidence including a motorized saw found with Suzanne’s DNA on it and surveillance footage capturing him disposing of a large, wrapped item at a dump site.
As Brad’s legal team argues for the dismissal of the murder charge, they contend that the indictment lacks specificity, particularly regarding the manner and means of the alleged murder, which they claim are vague. They assert that the prosecution should provide clearer details about the alleged act that led to Suzanne’s death. The defense has highlighted that the law does not require the state to prove how the crime was committed, only that Brad intended to cause serious bodily injury or death.
During a recent court hearing, the prosecution maintained that the evidence, although circumstantial, is compelling enough to proceed with the case. They emphasized that the absence of a body does not preclude the prosecution of a murder charge, citing precedent for cases where the defendant was tried without the victim’s remains. The prosecution further underscored that the intent to harm is a critical element that can be established without physical evidence of the crime.
The judge has yet to make a ruling on the defense’s motion to quash the indictment, indicating that he will hold off on a decision until a subsequent hearing. Both the defense and the prosecution are expected to gather additional evidence and arguments in preparation for future court proceedings.
As the legal battle unfolds, Suzanne Simpson’s family continues to hope for answers regarding her fate. Brad Simpson remains in custody at the Bear County Jail with a bail set at $5 million. His next hearing is scheduled for April 29, 2025. The case highlights the complexities of prosecuting a murder charge without a body and raises ongoing concerns about domestic violence and its tragic consequences.