The disappearance of Texas realtor Suzanne Simpson in October 2023 spiraled into a murder investigation, with her husband, Brad Simpson, and his business partner, James “Val” Cotter, facing serious criminal charges. Brad Simpson stands accused of murdering his wife and attempting to cover up the crime, while Cotter faces charges related to aiding Simpson in concealing evidence. The case, built upon witness accounts, digital evidence, and the discovery of potentially incriminating items, paints a grim picture of domestic violence escalating to a tragic end.
The timeline of events begins on October 6th, with an alleged altercation between Brad and Suzanne Simpson witnessed by a neighbor outside their Olmos Park home. This altercation reportedly involved physical violence, with the neighbor subsequently hearing screams emanating from a nearby wooded area. Adding to the unsettling narrative, the Simpsons’ five-year-old child disclosed to a school counselor that her father had physically assaulted her mother inside their home that same evening. The child also stated that Brad Simpson confiscated Suzanne’s phone amidst the conflict. Suzanne Simpson was reported missing shortly thereafter, initiating a missing person investigation that rapidly transformed into a homicide inquiry.
On October 8th, two days after Suzanne’s disappearance, a series of urgent text messages exchanged between Brad Simpson and James Cotter, his long-time friend and business partner, came under scrutiny. These messages suggest Simpson was seeking Cotter’s assistance in disposing of incriminating evidence, including a firearm. Simpson’s text messages exhibited a sense of desperation, referencing the damaging impact of social media scrutiny and imploring Cotter to meet him urgently. Cotter’s replies indicated a willingness to help, referring to Simpson as his “brother.” Authorities later discovered that Cotter had hidden an AK-47, allegedly belonging to Simpson and illegally modified into a machine gun, within the walls of his home. This discovery led to Cotter’s arrest on charges of tampering with evidence and possessing a prohibited weapon.
Brad Simpson was arrested on October 9th, initially on suspicion of his wife’s disappearance. As the investigation progressed, the evidence mounted against him. Suzanne’s DNA was reportedly found on a reciprocating saw that investigators believe Simpson attempted to conceal. This, along with other evidence, including the neighbor’s testimony, the child’s account of domestic violence, and the suspicious text messages exchanged with Cotter, solidified the authorities’ suspicion that Brad Simpson was responsible for his wife’s death.
On November 7th, Brad Simpson was formally charged with Suzanne’s murder. A grand jury subsequently indicted him on December 3rd on two counts of first-degree felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury to a family member, tampering with a corpse, two counts of tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a prohibited weapon. These charges carry a potential sentence of life imprisonment. The indictment specifically alleges that Simpson murdered his wife on or around October 6th and subsequently concealed her body and other evidence related to the crime.
James Cotter, after his initial arrest and release on bond, was also indicted by a grand jury. He faces charges of tampering with evidence with intent to impair an investigation and possession of prohibited weapons. While Cotter’s charges are not directly related to the murder itself, they stem from his alleged role in helping Simpson conceal the firearm, which investigators believe might be connected to the crime. The conditions of Cotter’s release include a prohibition against contact with Brad Simpson, a ban on firearm possession, and GPS monitoring. His alleged involvement places him squarely within the ongoing investigation into Suzanne Simpson’s death.
Despite extensive search efforts, Suzanne Simpson’s body has yet to be recovered. However, authorities maintain that there is no evidence to suggest she is alive. This conclusion is based on a combination of factors, including the absence of any activity on her cellphone and financial accounts, coupled with statements from her family, friends, and colleagues. The case remains open, with the ongoing search for Suzanne’s remains a top priority. The prosecutions of both Brad Simpson and James Cotter will likely unfold in the coming months, providing further insight into the tragic circumstances surrounding Suzanne’s disappearance and presumed death.
