The Disappearance of Suzanne Simpson and the Murder Case Against Brad Simpson

4 hours ago
10 min read

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Last updated: Feb. 17, 2026 | Important note: Suzanne’s body has not been publicly confirmed as recovered. Brad Simpson has pleaded not guilty in court proceedings reported by multiple outlets, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Who was Suzanne Simpson?

Suzanne Simpson was a Texas real estate agent and a mother of four. She lived with her family in the San Antonio area and moved in circles that overlapped with affluent Hill Country and Alamo Heights social life—details that become important because the case’s “last known hours” begin at a private club event and end in a neighborhood where at least one neighbor reported a violent argument.

The last known night: Oct. 6, 2024

Public reporting has consistently placed Suzanne’s last known sighting on the night of Oct. 6, 2024, after she and Brad attended a party at The Argyle, a private club. Accounts reported by local journalists describe a verbal altercation at or connected to the event, followed by the couple returning home.

One of the most-cited early data points in the case is a neighbor’s statement (referenced in affidavits and later reporting) describing hearing an argument and screams and witnessing a physical struggle outside the home, after which Suzanne ran and Brad followed until the neighbor lost sight of them.

The missing-person report and the first arrest

Early coverage reported that Suzanne was not reported missing immediately, and investigators quickly focused on discrepancies and “uncooperative” behavior described in an arrest-warrant affidavit publicized by local media.

Brad was initially arrested Oct. 9, 2024 (in a neighboring jurisdiction) on charges reported as assault–family violence and unlawful restraint, tied to the confrontation described by a neighbor and the circumstances surrounding Suzanne’s disappearance.

Why prosecutors say the case escalated to murder (even without a recovered body)

Within weeks, the public narrative shifted from “missing person” to “presumed dead,” driven by what prosecutors allege is a trail of digital, video, and physical evidence.

The alleged movements investigators homed in on

Multiple outlets—often citing the arrest-warrant affidavit and subsequent investigative reporting—have described a pattern of activity by Brad in the hours and days after Suzanne was last seen. These reports include:

alleged travel into the Hill Country and surrounding counties
alleged purchases and stops consistent with cleanup or disposal (including a hardware store stop and a car wash)
reported surveillance images referencing large items (bags/containers/tarp-covered objects) in or around his vehicle
allegations that he toggled his phone on/off or otherwise created suspicious gaps in location data

These claims appear repeatedly in local investigative timelines and court-record coverage.

Why that matters legally: Texas prosecutors can pursue a murder case without a body if they believe the totality of circumstantial evidence proves (1) a death occurred, (2) the death was criminal, and (3) the defendant caused it. The public reporting indicates that’s the theory here: Suzanne is treated as presumed dead in court coverage, while the defense challenges the strength and admissibility of the evidence.

The murder charge and indictment

Brad was formally charged with murder on Nov. 7, 2024, according to repeated court-coverage summaries.

A Bexar County grand jury later indicted him, and reporting has described the core counts as including murder plus tampering-related charges and weapons-related allegations. Different outlets list the counts with slightly different specificity, but the consistent theme is that prosecutors allege a killing followed by concealment or destruction of evidence.

Additional charges reported in court coverage

Court reporting has also described other serious allegations beyond the murder count, including:

tampering with a corpse / tampering with evidence (language varies by report)
possession of a prohibited weapon
an aggravated assault allegation connected to the alleged violence leading up to the disappearance
a federal firearms allegation reported separately from the state case

These appear in longer-form case recaps and trial-preview articles.

The “Associate” Angle: another defendant in the orbit

A major wrinkle in the public timeline is the involvement of a longtime associate, James "Val" Cotter, who has faced tampering and weapons charges according to reporting. Coverage has described court rulings about his bond conditions (including GPS monitoring) and emphasized that his case is separate but connected in prosecutors’ view to alleged post-disappearance actions.

The defense posture: attacking the foundation of the case

Brad’s defense has repeatedly pushed to narrow the case or challenge the indictment, using motions and hearings commonly seen in complex prosecutions—especially where the state’s theory relies heavily on circumstantial evidence, digital trails, and expert interpretation.

Local reporting describes efforts to:

challenge whether the indictment should stand
dispute the credibility of witnesses and the handling of evidence
litigate discovery disputes (what evidence must be turned over, in what format, and when)

These issues have been covered through courtroom updates rather than press releases, which is often where the most revealing procedural details surface.

Trial scheduling: set, delayed, reset — and delayed again

By late 2025, multiple outlets were reporting a February 2026 trial setting.

But in January–February 2026, fresh coverage reported the case was pushed back again—driven largely by prosecutors describing a new wave of evidence and ongoing processing/review, with the court granting at least a 60-day reset and scheduling additional status settings.

Where that leaves things as of today (Feb. 17, 2026): Public reporting indicates the trial is not currently proceeding on the earlier February start, and the court is managing the case through resets and status hearings while discovery and evidence review continue. (MySA)

What we still don’t know (and why it matters)

Even with extensive timelines, some facts remain either undisclosed or unconfirmed publicly:

The location of Suzanne Simpson (and whether remains have been recovered) has not been publicly resolved in the reporting cited above.
The full contents of forensic evidence (phones, vehicles, digital data, surveillance, possible biological evidence) are typically litigated under protective orders and discovery rules, so the public may only see fragments until trial.
The defense’s alternate narrative has not been laid out in full public detail; what’s visible now is mainly procedural—motions, objections, and challenges to the prosecution’s evidence and witnesses.

Why this case has gripped Texas (and true-crime audiences)

Cases like this often become high-profile for three reasons, all present here:

A public last sighting + neighbor account that suggests immediate danger.
A spouse defendant + missing body, which forces jurors (eventually) to weigh circumstantial evidence carefully.
Procedural churn—resets, discovery disputes, evidence surges—which signals complexity and raises stakes for both sides.

FAQ

Has Suzanne Simpson been found?

As of the most recent credible reporting surfaced in court-coverage updates, Suzanne is widely described as missing/presumed dead, and reporting continues to note that her body has not been publicly confirmed as recovered.

What is Brad Simpson charged with?

Reporting consistently states he is charged with murder, along with additional felony allegations that include tampering-related and weapons-related charges; some coverage also notes an aggravated assault allegation and a separate federal firearms case.

Why was the trial delayed?

Recent coverage attributes delays to prosecutors receiving and processing new evidence, and to ongoing discovery review and disputes.

Closing: the case heading into 2026

This prosecution is moving through the slow, grinding middle phase that often defines major trials: evidence review, motion practice, witness fights, and scheduling resets. When it finally reaches a jury, the centerpiece question will likely be stark: Can the state prove murder beyond a reasonable doubt without a recovered body—based on timelines, digital footprints, alleged disposal activity, and witness testimony? Recent reporting suggests the court is still clearing the runway for that moment.

If someone has information about Suzanne Simpson’s whereabouts call:

Call the Olmos Park Police Department (tip line / dispatch): (210) 822-2000.
Call the Texas Department of Public Safety Missing Persons Clearinghouse:
- Phone: (512) 424-5074
- Helpline: (800) 346-3243

If it’s time-sensitive or someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

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Sources used for this podcast:

News Articles & Web Sources

Brown, S. (2024, October 15). Search for missing Texas mom Suzanne Simpson leads to San Antonio landfill. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/us/search-missing-texas-mom-suzanne-simpson-leads-san-antonio-landfill

Fox News. (2024, October 18). Missing Suzanne Simpson’s husband faces high bond as police search for Texas realtor. Fox News.

Fox News. (2024, November 8). Husband of missing Texas mom Suzanne Simpson charged with murder. Fox News.

Fox News. (2024, December 17). Business partner of missing Suzanne Simpson’s husband indicted on weapons, evidence charges. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/us/business-partner-missing-suzanne-simpson-murder-suspect-husband-arrested-indicted-after-texts-emerge

Fox News. (2025, February 15). Suzanne Simpson murder case: Texas defense for missing realtor's husband looking for holes in evidence trove. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/us/suzanne-simpson-murder-case-texas-defense-missing-realtors-husband-looking-holes-evidence-trove

Fox News. (2025, March 6). Wealthy Texas enclave in spotlight after Suzanne Simpson’s murder case rocks affluent neighborhood. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/us/suzanne-simpson-murder-texas-attorneys-sift-through-evidence-husbands-case-rocks-affluent-neighborhood

Fox News. (2025, March 23). Brad Simpson asks Texas court to throw out murder charge. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/us/suzanne-simpson-case-texas-court-weighs-husbands-request-have-murder-charge-thrown-out

Fox News. (2025, April 22). Missing Texas realtor Suzanne Simpson's husband 'forcing state's hand' in fight to toss murder case: experts. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/us/missing-texas-realtor-suzanne-simpson-husband-forcing-states-hand-fight-toss-murder-case-experts

KENS 5. (2025, October 5). To this day, Suzanne Simpson’s body has not been found [Status update]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/kens5/posts/to-this-day-suzanne-simpsons-body-has-not-been-found/1199734695519467/

KSAT 12. (2024, October 14). Olmos Park police reveal what led them to SE Bexar County landfill in search for missing mother Suzanne Clark Simpson. KSAT. https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2024/10/15/search-continues-at-se-bexar-county-landfill-for-evidence-in-case-of-missing-olmos-park-mother-suzanne-clark-simpson/

KSAT 12. (2024, November 13). Affidavit: Brad Simpson had trash bags, bulky item wrapped in tarp after wife Suzanne Simpson's disappearance. KSAT. https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2024/11/13/affidavit-brad-simpson-had-trash-bags-bulky-item-wrapped-in-tarp-after-wife-suzanne-simpsons-disappearance/

KSAT 12. (2024, November 14). Timeline details Brad Simpson's whereabouts before and after wife Suzanne Simpson disappeared. KSAT. https://www.ksat.com/news/ksat-investigates/2024/11/14/timeline-details-brad-simpsons-whereabouts-before-and-after-wife-suzanne-simpson-disappeared/

KSAT 12. (2024, December 11). Timeline: Disappearance of Suzanne Clark Simpson, arrest of husband Brad Simpson. KSAT. https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2024/12/12/timeline-disappearance-of-suzanne-clark-simpson-arrest-of-husband-brad-simpson-clone

KSAT 12. (2025, September 21). Murder suspect Brad Simpson’s trial date tentatively set for February 2026. KSAT. https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2025/09/22/brad-simpson-trial-date-tentatively-set-for-february-2026/

KSAT 12. (2025, October 5). One year later: What we know about Suzanne Simpson’s disappearance. KSAT. https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2025/10/06/one-year-later-what-we-know-about-suzanne-simpsons-disappearance/

KSAT 12. (2025, October 6). Timeline: All developments in the year since Suzanne Simpson's disappearance. KSAT. https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2025/10/06/timeline-all-developments-in-the-year-since-suzanne-simpsons-disappearance

Medel, D. (2024, October 15). Suzanne Clark Simpson may be found at a Southeast Side landfill as police search Southeast Bexar County. San Antonio Report. https://sanantonioreport.org/police-confident-landfill-search-in-southeast-san-antonio-will-lead-to-finding-suzanne-clark-simpson/

Medel, D. (2024, October 17). Police end landfill search for Suzanne Clark Simpson after finding no evidence. San Antonio Report. https://sanantonioreport.org/police-say-they-havent-found-evidence-in-landfill-search-for-suzanne-clark-simpson/

Medel, D. (2025, October 5). One year later, Suzanne Clark Simpson is still missing. Her husband is accused of murder. San Antonio Report. https://sanantonioreport.org/one-year-later-suzanne-clark-simpson-is-still-missing-her-husband-is-accused-of-murder/

Medel, D. (2026, January 19). Murder trial of Suzanne Clark Simpson delayed after state seeks continuance. San Antonio Report. https://sanantonioreport.org/murder-trial-of-suzanne-clark-simpson-delayed-after-state-seeks-continuance/

MySA. (2026, January 23). Newly filed court documents in the murder case of Suzanne Simpson accuse Brad her husband of … [Status update]. Facebook.

News 4 San Antonio. (2024, November 6). Judge reduces bond for Brad Simpson’s business partner James Cotter. News 4 San Antonio. https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/judge-reduces-bond-for-brad-simpsons-business-partner-james-cotter

News 4 San Antonio. (2024, December 16). Brad Simpson’s business partner indicted on weapons and evidence-tampering charges. News 4 San Antonio. https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/brad-simpsons-business-partner-indicted-on-weapons-and-evidence-tampering-charges-san-antonio

News 4 San Antonio. (2025, October 6). One year anniversary of Suzanne Simpson's disappearance as murder case moves forward. News 4 San Antonio. https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/one-year-anniversary-of-suzanne-simpsons-disappearance-as-murder-case-moves-forward-olmos-park-texas-police-investigation-evidence-trial-judge-bond-search-landfills-children-jail

News 4 San Antonio. (2025, October 21). James Cotter, accused in Suzanne Simpson case, no longer required to wear GPS monitor. News 4 San Antonio. https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/pre-trial-hearing-today-for-james-cotter-accused-of-aiding-brad-simpson-in-murder-cover-up-san-antonio-texas-investigation-police-search-suzanne-courtroom-judge-bail

News 4 San Antonio. (2026, January 19). Judge pushes Brad Simpson murder trial date due to “waves of” new evidence. News 4 San Antonio. https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/brad-simpson-to-appear-in-court-ahead-of-murder-trial-for-wifes-murder-san-antonio-texas-judge-pushes-trial-date-waves-of-evidence

New York Post Staff. (2024, October 11). Chilling final photo released of missing Texas mom at ritzy country club hours before disappearance. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2024/10/11/us-news/chilling-final-photo-released-of-missing-texas-mom-at-ritzy-country-club-hours-before-disappearance/

Town & Country Staff. (2025, March 1). What really happened to Suzanne Simpson? Town & Country. https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/a63654364/suzanne-simpson-case-investigation/

YouTube Videos

COURT TV. (2024, December 10). What happened to Suzanne Simpson? | Vinnie Politan Investigates [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoA-9CRyV2E

Jonathan Mark Medium. (2024, December 19). Chandler Simpson: The search for Suzanne Simpson’s body [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxP1BFjblik

KABB FOX San Antonio. (2025, December 23). The case of Suzanne Simpson: Prosecuting without a body [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph5gSawQT8A

Stephanie Harlowe. (2024, December 6). Coffee & crime time: Suzanne Simpson - Breaking Brad [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GKJuOSNsKo

The Guilty - Crime. (2025, October 12). The disappearance of Suzanne Simpson | True crime documentary [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q4DB9dP0nI

Podcast

Death X Southwest. (n.d.). Episode 108: The disappearance of Suzanne Simpson [Audio podcast episode]. In Death X Southwest: True Crime. Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-108-the-disappearance-of-suzanne-simpson/id1654633229

Movies (Films) & Television Series

Judge, M. (Director). (1999). Office space [Film]. Twentieth Century Fox.

McKay, A. (Director). (2008). Step Brothers [Film]. Columbia Pictures.

Reubens, P., & Burton, T. (Directors). (1985). Pee-wee's big adventure [Film]. Aspen Film Society; Warner Bros.

Wachowski, L., & Wachowski, L. (Directors). (2008). Speed racer [Film]. Warner Bros. Pictures.

Brooks, J. L., Groening, M., & Simon, S. (Executive Producers). (1989–present). The Simpsons [TV series]. Gracie Films; 20th Television Animation.

Tartikoff, B., & Klein, A. (Executive Producers). (1975–1979). Welcome back, Kotter [TV series]. The Komack Company; Warner Bros. Television.

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