Digest

The episode delves into the mysterious disappearance of Suzanne Simpson, a luxury realtor, who vanished without a trace. The episode begins with her husband, Brad Simpson, reporting her late to pick up their child from school, setting the stage for a complex investigation. The episode highlights Suzanne's active role in her children's lives, making her disappearance even more perplexing. The investigation leads to a massive landfill search, which was called off after multiple days, leaving Nancy Grace and viewers emotionally drained. New developments emerge with the arrest of James Cotter, a friend of Brad Simpson, for tampering with evidence, raising suspicions about his involvement in the case. The episode features an interview with Jeff Horning, a longtime friend of both Suzanne and Brad, who shares his perspective on the case, including his initial reaction to Suzanne's disappearance and his concerns about Brad's behavior. The episode explores the concept of an abuser's charm and how it can be used to manipulate and deceive others. Courtney Lasky, a certified behavior analyst, discusses the common characteristics of abusers and how they can appear to be "quality individuals" while engaging in abusive behavior. The episode delves into the events leading up to Suzanne's disappearance, including a dinner at the Argyle, an exclusive club in San Antonio, and a neighbor's report of a physical altercation between Suzanne and Brad after they returned home. The episode provides updates on the ongoing search for Suzanne, which has moved to wooded areas near the family's home, highlighting the challenges of searching in such a terrain. The episode also explores the evidence gathered by investigators, including cell phone data and GPS tracking, and the significance of James Cotter's arrest. The episode revisits the landfill search and reveals new information about the investigation, including inconsistencies in James Cotter's statements to police and the role of an informant in leading police to Cotter's house. The episode examines the neighbor's testimony about the altercation between Suzanne and Brad, discussing the neighbor's failure to call the police immediately after hearing screams. The episode reports on Brad Simpson's request to the court to allow him to see his children amidst the search for his missing wife, highlighting the no-contact order in place due to Brad's alleged abuse of Suzanne. The episode provides an update on the new search area, located near the family's home, and discusses the neighbor's report of hearing a scream near the home after the couple returned from dinner at the Argyle. The episode features a description of the Simpson's home and the surrounding area, including a heavily wooded area and a dam, highlighting the challenges of searching in such a terrain and the possibility of hiding a body in the area. The episode reveals the discovery of an AK-47 hidden in James Cotter's residence, highlighting the inconsistencies in Cotter's statements to police and the role of a canine trained to detect firearms in the discovery. The episode presents the defense attorney's argument regarding the neighbor's testimony, questioning the neighbor's credibility and suggesting that the neighbor may not have seen or heard what he claims. The episode further examines the neighbor's testimony and discusses the details of the altercation between Suzanne and Brad, mentioning that Suzanne's phone last pinged a half mile from her home, which contradicts the neighbor's timeline. The episode includes a statement from Suzanne's mother, who reveals that Suzanne had called her and told her that Brad had struck her in the stomach, highlighting the danger faced by women who are trying to leave abusive situations. The episode shares a statement from Brad Simpson's brother, who condemns Brad's behavior and expresses his family's desire to bring Suzanne home, highlighting the family's frustration with Brad's lack of cooperation with the police. The episode reveals that Suzanne had a plan to move in with her mother and send her daughter to the local school, discussing the tragic timing of Suzanne's disappearance and the lack of time to implement her plan. The episode focuses on Brad Simpson's behavior, including his statement "I don't have much time" and his lack of concern for Suzanne's well-being, discussing the potential consequences of Brad's actions and the possibility of him being charged with murder. The episode explores the importance of finding a body in a murder investigation, discussing the potential consequences of Brad Simpson's silence and the possibility of him avoiding charges if a body is not found. The episode concludes with a call to action for viewers to contact Detective Hector Ruiz if they have any information about Suzanne Clark Simpson's disappearance, including a reminder of the tip line number.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Disappearance of Suzanne Simpson

This episode of "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace" investigates the disappearance of Suzanne Simpson, a luxury realtor, and explores the potential involvement of her husband, Brad Simpson, and his friend, James Cotter. The episode begins with Brad reporting Suzanne missing after she failed to pick up their child from school, highlighting the unusual nature of her disappearance given her active role in her children's lives.

00:01:32

The Landfill Search and New Developments

The episode discusses the massive landfill search conducted in connection with Suzanne's disappearance, which was called off after multiple days. The episode also reveals new developments in the case, including the arrest of James Cotter for tampering with evidence and the possibility that he was asked to hide a weapon on Brad's behalf.

00:09:59

Perspectives and the Abuser's Charm

The episode features an interview with Jeff Horning, a longtime friend of both Suzanne and Brad, who shares his perspective on the case. The episode also explores the concept of an abuser's charm and how it can be used to manipulate and deceive others, discussing the common characteristics of abusers and how they can appear to be "quality individuals" while engaging in abusive behavior.

00:16:55

The Argyle Incident and the Search Continues

The episode delves into the events leading up to Suzanne's disappearance, including a dinner at the Argyle, an exclusive club in San Antonio, and a neighbor's report of a physical altercation between Suzanne and Brad after they returned home. The episode also provides updates on the ongoing search for Suzanne, which has moved to wooded areas near the family's home.

00:22:13

Evidence, Investigation, and Testimony

The episode explores the evidence gathered by investigators, including cell phone data and GPS tracking, and the significance of James Cotter's arrest. The episode also examines the neighbor's testimony about the altercation between Suzanne and Brad, discussing the neighbor's failure to call the police immediately after hearing screams.

00:38:33

Brad Simpson's Behavior and the Importance of a Body

The episode focuses on Brad Simpson's behavior, including his statement "I don't have much time" and his lack of concern for Suzanne's well-being, discussing the potential consequences of Brad's actions and the possibility of him being charged with murder. The episode also explores the importance of finding a body in a murder investigation, discussing the potential consequences of Brad Simpson's silence and the possibility of him avoiding charges if a body is not found.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are the key details surrounding Suzanne Simpson's disappearance?

  Suzanne Simpson was reported missing by her husband, Brad Simpson, after she failed to pick up their child from school. Her disappearance is considered unusual because she was very involved in her children's lives and always kept in contact with her family and friends.

• What was the outcome of the landfill search?

  The landfill search, which was conducted in connection with Suzanne's disappearance, was called off after multiple days. The search was a massive undertaking, involving 50 people in hazmat suits, and it was emotionally draining for Nancy Grace and the viewers.

• What new developments have emerged in the case?

  James Cotter, a friend of Brad Simpson, was arrested for tampering with evidence. It is believed that Cotter was asked to hide a weapon on Brad's behalf. The police have obtained Brad's phone records and are using GPS data and cell ping tower data to track his movements on the night of Suzanne's disappearance.

• What is the significance of the AK-47 discovery?

  The discovery of an AK-47 hidden in James Cotter's residence is significant because it suggests that Cotter lied to police about his assistance to Brad Simpson. The AK-47 was found behind a wall in Cotter's house, and it is believed to have belonged to Brad.

• What is the defense attorney's argument regarding the neighbor's testimony?

  The defense attorney is questioning the neighbor's credibility, suggesting that the neighbor may not have seen or heard what he claims. The defense attorney points out that the neighbor did not call the police immediately after hearing screams and that there were obstructions in the area that may have hindered his view.

• Why is it important to find Suzanne Simpson's body?

  Finding Suzanne's body is crucial for the investigation because it would provide concrete evidence of her death and potentially link Brad Simpson to the crime. Without a body, it is more difficult to prove that a murder occurred, and Brad may be able to avoid charges.

Show Notes