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 of four and Realtor has not been located. Authorities have searched four areas since her disappearance — the couple’s home, the Olmos Park Basin, an area along Interstate 10 in Boerne and a Southeast Side landfill.
Authorities have not said if they found anything of significance.
Brad Simpson remains in the Bexar County Jail on bonds totaling $3 million. He was arrested in Kendall County on Wednesday, Oct. 9 on charges of family violence and unlawful restraint. On Tuesday, Oct. 22, he was charged with tampering/fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair, as well as a prohibited weapon-related charge.
The new charges are connected with the arrest of his business partner and friend of more than 25 years, James Valle Cotter. Cotter, 65, faces felony charges of tampering with evidence with the intent to impair an investigation, Bexar County Jail records show.
During a news conference on Thursday, Oct. 10, Olmos Park Police Chief Fidel Villegas shared the last-known photo of Suzanne Clark Simpson taken outside The Argyle, a private dinner club in Alamo Heights.
“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 continue search for Suzanne Simpson
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Since news broke about her disappearance, authorities have searched the couple’s home in Olmos Park and surrounding areas, including wooded areas and the Olmos Park Basin for evidence. City of Olmos Park Mayor Erin Harrison said the Olmos Park Police Department has enlisted the resources of Texas Search and Rescue, an Austin-based nonprofit organization.
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On Friday, Oct. 11, multiple agencies 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. 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.
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On Monday, Oct. 14, the Texas Department of Public Safety set up a mobile command center at a Southeast Side landfill in connection with Suzanne Clark Simpson. The Texas Department of Public Safety told KSAT that the landfill was one of several areas they searched in connection with the case. Authorities stopped their search at the site on Thursday, Oct. 17. DPS said they found no evidence tied to Suzanne Clark Simpson.
Authorities did not say if anything of significance was found in any of the searches.
Brad Simpson remains in 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.
During the news conference on Thursday, Oct. 10, Villegas also said Brad Simpson was uncooperative with investigators.
He was scheduled for a bond hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 15 but it was canceled due to a federal detainer, or hold, that was placed on him last week.
Even if Simpson were to post bond, he would possibly be transferred into the custody of the U.S. Marshals because of the hold.
A federal hold, or detainer, is a request from a federal agency to keep an inmate in custody or to notify the agency before his or her release.
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, Brad Simpson was handed two additional charges of tampering/fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair, as well as a prohibited weapon-related charge.
>> Brad Simpson’s illegal ‘machine gun’ hidden by friend inside wall at Dominion home, police say
They are connected to the arrest of his business partner on similar charges, which KSAT first reported.
According to an arrest affidavit, Texas Rangers received consent from Cotter to look through his communication with Simpson on his cell phone.
On Oct. 8, the affidavit said Brad Simpson text-messaged Cotter, saying, “If you’re in Bandera, can you haul a** and meet me at your house? I don’t have much time.” Simpson messaged Cotter again, adding, “OK, make sure to leave all that s*** in the pump house, especially that gun,” according to the affidavit.
The affidavit also includes a text from Simpson, saying, “Sorry for the urgency but you’re all I got especially now…social media is destroying me.”
Almost two weeks later, a person who had previously provided correct information regarding the investigation contacted the Olmos Park Police Department. The affidavit said the person told authorities that Brad Simpson had requested Cotter go to his house in Olmos Park to secure a “rifle.”
Brad Simpson wants bond conditions changed
Brad Simpson has asked a Bexar County court to amend bond conditions so he can have contact with his children, his attorney said.
His attorney, Stephen Gilmore, penned the request in a letter submitted to Bexar County Court No. 7 on Monday, Oct. 21. KSAT acquired Gilmore’s letter on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
As a condition of Simpson’s pretrial release, the court said that he could not have any contact with his four children.
In the letter, Gilmore argues that the court should allow Brad Simpson to be in contact with his children because none of his children are involved in any of his current charges and Brad Simpson is not considered a flight risk.
Instead, Gilmore suggested to the court that its no-contact order be changed to allow Brad Simpson to engage in “no harmful or injurious contact.”
The court received Gilmore’s letter on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 22, according to the letter obtained by KSAT.
Timeline of events in this case:
An arrest warrant affidavit states Brad Simpson reported his wife missing to the Olmos Park Police Department. Her cell phone 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.
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On Monday, Oct. 14, authorities searched a landfill in Southeast Bexar County in connection with the case.
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On Thursday, Oct. 17, authorities stopped their search at the landfill, citing no evidence found.
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On Monday, Oct. 21, a longtime business associate of Brad Simpson, 65-year-old James Valle Cotter was arrested on felony charges of tampering with evidence with the intent to impair an investigation, Bexar County Jail records show. Jail records also show Cotter faces a felony charge of possession of prohibited weapons.
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On Monday, Oct. 21, Brad Simpson’s attorney, Stephen Gilmore, penned a request to Bexar County Court No. 7, asking the court to amend bond conditions so he can have contact with his children, his attorney said. The court received Gilmore’s letter on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 22, according to the letter obtained by KSAT.
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On Tuesday, Oct. 22, Brad Simpson was charged with tampering/fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair, as well as a prohibited weapon-related charge.
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, during a vigil on Sunday, Oct. 13.
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, and 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: