OLMOS PARK, Texas – Suzanne Clark Simpson has been missing since Sunday, Oct. 6. Her husband, Brad Simpson, is facing charges unrelated to her disappearance.
The missing mother and Realtor has not been located. Authorities searched an area along Interstate 10 in Boerne — just about a mile from where Brad Simpson was arrested — on Friday, Oct. 11, but they did not say they found anything of significance.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said on Oct. 11 that the search for Suzanne Clark Simpson is no longer taking place at the Olmos Park Basin area.
During a news conference on Thursday, Oct. 10, Olmos Park Police Chief Fidel Villegas shared a photo of a woman who DPS and Olmos Park believe is Suzanne Clark Simpson. The picture was taken outside The Argyle, a private dinner club in Alamo Heights, Villegas said.
“We’re trying every avenue,” Villegas said. “But in the case that somebody has seen her — and she is in distress. That night, we think she was in distress. She may be somewhere, and we just don’t know about it. It’s very suspicious, though, that, obviously, she’s not going to work, and she’s not checking in on her children. So that’s an obvious problem.”
“But, at the same time, we don’t want to miss an opportunity to say, ‘Hey, this is what she looks like. Maybe somebody out there knows where she is or she’s hiding away or something.’ That’s why we’re showing you the clothing,” Villegas said.
Agencies search area near Brad Simpson’s arrest
Multiple agencies searched an area along Interstate 10 in Boerne on Friday, Oct. 11, in connection with the case.
A search party was seen in the 33000 block of I-10, near Highway 87 — about a mile away from where Brad Simpson was arrested. The search lasted from about 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Twenty-five to 30 people searched the area at the peak of their efforts, Texas Ranger Kevin Wright told KSAT. ATVs and dogs were also used.
Authorities did not say if anything of significance was found.
Brad Simpson transferred to Bexar County Jail
Brad Simpson was arrested early Wednesday, Oct. 9 and booked in the Kendall County Jail on charges of assault causing bodily injury-family violence and unlawful restraint, records show.
On Thursday, Oct. 10, the Department of Public Safety transferred Brad Simpson to Bexar County, where he was booked into the Bexar County Adult Detention Center, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office told KSAT. His bond is $2 million.
During the news conference on Thursday, Oct. 10, Villegas also said that Brad Simpson is “in our custody” but did not confirm if Brad Simpson will face additional or upgraded charges.
According to Villegas, Brad Simpson continues to be uncooperative with investigators.
He is scheduled for a bond hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at the jail’s auxiliary court, records show.
If Simpson posts bond on the county charges, it is possible he could be transferred into the custody of the U.S. Marshals, a Bexar County Central Records official confirmed Friday, Oct. 11.
The official had no other information on the reason for Brad Simpson’s hold.
A U.S. Marshals spokesperson told KSAT that the ATF will need to finish its investigation before marshals intervened in Simpson’s custody.
Timeline of events in this case:
An arrest warrant affidavit states Brad Simpson reported his wife missing to the Olmos Park Police Department. Her cellphone was also missing.
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On Sunday, Oct. 6, the couple attended a party at The Argyle, a private dinner club on Patterson Avenue, before returning to their home, which they share with their two children.
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A neighbor told police that between 10-11 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 he heard arguing outside his bedroom window that became louder and “seemed closer to his window.” When the neighbor looked out his window, he saw the Simpsons in a physical altercation, the affidavit states. He said Suzanne Clark Simpson was trying to get away from Brad Simpson as he tried to pull her down. It appeared Brad Simpson “was clearly attempting to keep Ms. Simpson from running away,” the neighbor told authorities, according to the affidavit.
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The neighbor told authorities he last saw the couple heading westbound. The neighbor went outside to investigate, and a short time later , he heard two to three screams from a brushy area east of his home, the affidavit states.
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About an hour later, the neighbor saw Brad Simpson start his black GMC pickup truck and leave his house. The neighbor told authorities he saw Brad Simpson return one to two hours later.
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At 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, their child’s school called Brad Simpson and advised him that their child had not been picked up from school, the affidavit states. Suzanne Clark Simpson typically picks up their child from school, Brad Simpson told police, according to the affidavit.
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On Tuesday, Oct. 8, police interviewed staff at the school one of their children attends. The child told staff that her parents were “fighting” and that her dad assaulted her mom and took her phone away, the affidavit states. The child also said Suzanne Clark Simpson had a bruise on her elbow.
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At 12:42 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, police obtained an arrest warrant for Brad Simpson. The charges were assault-family violence and unlawful restraint.
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At around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, the Department of Public Safety and Kendall County Sheriff’s Office took Brad Simpson into custody near 542 East Mile Marker on Interstate 10, according to the sheriff. He was booked into the Kendall County jail after 4 a.m. and his bond was later set at $1 million a charge.
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Investigators searched the couple’s home and surrounding areas on Wednesday, Oct. 9, but declined to say what, if any, evidence was found.
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On Thursday, Oct. 10, police took down the crime scene tape from outside the home and opened East Olmos to traffic again. They condensed their command post to an area within one block along East Contour.
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On Thursday, Oct. 10, Brad Simpson was taken to the Bexar County Jail after being transferred from Kendall County.
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On Friday, Oct. 11, authorities searched the 33000 block of I-10, near Highway 87 — about a mile away from where Brad Simpson was arrested. The search lasted from about 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Authorities did not say if anything of significance was found.
Mother of Suzanne Clark Simpson voices concerns at prayer vigil
“I just don’t understand. I don’t understand why it happened. It wasn’t part of their life,” said Barbra Clark, Suzanne’s mother.
Clark says she spoke to Suzanne one hour before she was last seen.
“She called me up and told me things Brad had done to her physically. Well, I came up with an alternative plan for her that she would move in with me. I never got to tell her the plan,” said Clark.
“Do you think Brad is responsible for her disappearance?” asked KSAT reporter John Paul Barajas.
“I agree with that. I would like to visit him and ask him why. What happened?” said Clark.
“Is there anything you’d say to Suzanne right now if she can hear you?” asked Barajas.
“Suzanne, we love you. We need you. And we’re praying for you,” said Clark.
Nix Realty releases statement
Nix Realty Company, where Suzanne Clark Simpson worked as a Realtor, released a statement on its website.
“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,” the statement reads. “Along with so many others who love Suzanne, we will continue to pray for her.”
Husband ‘uncooperative’ with investigation, affidavit says
Police said Brad Simpson has been “uncooperative” with the investigation and did not show up to a follow-up interview.
At some point, Brad Simpson went to his ranch in Bandera County and “appeared to be separating himself from his family,” the affidavit states.
Olmos Park Police Chief Fidel Villegas interviewed Brad Simpson’s relative, who said Brad Simpson “had called him and apologized for all the problems that he had caused.”
Villegas said authorities are asking for tips about Brad Simpson’s 2019 black GMC Sierra and whether it was seen in a suspicious place on Sunday, Oct. 6.
He said volunteers who showed up to help search for Suzanne Clark Simpson provided much-needed assistance to law enforcement as they continued investigating.
Mother-in-law of Suzanne Clark Simpson speaks with KSAT
Brad Simpson’s mother spoke to KSAT on Thursday, Oct. 10, and said her family is “devastated.”
“I’m in total disbelief,” Brad Simpson’s mother, who did not reveal her name, told KSAT. “… we are a devastated family and we do need privacy and that’s all we’re asking for because our only concern right now are these children and these grandchildren.”
The same day, the brother-in-law of Suzanne Clark Simpson shared a statement via Facebook regarding her disappearance.
In a Facebook post, Barton Tinsley Simpson said their family’s priorities are to find Suzanne Clark Simpson and comfort her children during this time.
“Our family is devastated by the disappearance of our beloved Suzanne. We are doing everything we can to fully cooperate with law enforcement, and our first priority is to find her and bring her home,” Barton Tinsley Simpson said.
He continued by saying they’re ensuring her children are protected while police search for her. He added that the family is “desperately seeking” answers and pleading for anyone with information to come forward.
“We greatly appreciate the public outcry and support, and we are aligned in wanting answers and resolution,” Barton Tinsley Simpson said. “We ask the public to respect our privacy, but we also deeply appreciate the outpouring of support.”
Our family is devastated by the disappearance of our beloved Suzanne. We are doing everything we can to fully cooperate…
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Friends struggle to stay positive
Two of Suzanne Simpson’s friends told KSAT they are struggling to keep a positive outlook throughout her disappearance. The two were among a group of people — many of whom live in the neighborhood — who showed up after daybreak Wednesday, Oct. 9, to help with the search.
Suzanne Clark Simpson’s friends said they want others not to give up in the search.
“We just want people to keep looking for her and pray for her family and her kids,” said Heather Affleck, who has known the mother of four for more than 20 years.
Camille Mandigo described the missing woman as a “great friend” and a “wonderful mom, who has no enemies.
“Everybody loves Suzanne. She’s the kindest, sweetest person,” Mandigo said. “I don’t think anybody could say anything bad about her.”
Olmos Park police ask for public’s help
If you have any information on Simpson’s whereabouts, contact Olmos police at one of the three following numbers:
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210-209-2701: Detective Hector Ruiz
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210-219-2702: Detective Melissa Campbell
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210-822-2000: Olmos Park Dispatch
Domestic violence resources
If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, there is a long list of resources on KSAT’s Domestic Violence page which includes a breakdown of what abuse is, and how it builds gradually.
If you are in crisis, you can:
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call or text 911
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call the Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233
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call the local Family Violence Prevention Services, which runs the shelter (Crisis Number: 210-733-8810, Programs and Administration: 210-930-3669)
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call the Bexar County Family Justice Center at 210-631-0100.
Related coverage on KSAT: