Brad Simpson, the husband of missing Texas real estate agent Suzanne Simpson, remains in custody on suspicion of murdering the 51-year-old mother of four, and his longtime business partner was named in the investigation this week. was indicted.
James “Val” Cotter was indicted Monday by a grand jury on charges of tampering with evidence with intent to obstruct an investigation and possession of a prohibited weapon, according to Bexar County Jail records. KSAT reported.
Cotter, a longtime friend and business partner of Brad Simpson, is accused of hiding Simpson's gun after the two exchanged guns. A number of strange sentences on October 8, before Simpson was arrested on October 9, just two days after his wife went missing.
Suzanne Simpson's DNA found on murder suspect's husband's metal saw
James Cotter, 65, was charged with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to obstruct an investigation, according to Bexar County court records. (Bexar County Jail)
“If you're in Bandera, can you pick me up at my house?” Simpson allegedly texted, according to the affidavit. “I don't have much time.”
Mr. Cotter replied, “I'll be there in 40 minutes.” Simpson replied, “Okay, please leave everything in the pump room, especially your gun.”
Simpson reportedly added, “Sorry to be so quick, but you're all I have, especially right now…Social media is destroying me.”
Later that same day, Mr. Cotter sent Mr. Simpson a message saying, “Come here!! I won't tell anyone,” followed by a message that read, “You're my brother.”
Follow the FOX True Crime Team at X
Authorities said Cotter is suspected of hiding Simpson's AK-47 in the wall of her home. Police said the gun, which had been converted into a “machine gun,” was not properly registered.
Cotter was arrested on Oct. 21 and charged with tampering with evidence and possession of a prohibited weapon, both third-degree felonies. He was released from custody last month after his bail was reduced from $1 million to $100,000, local media reported.
He was not allowed to have any contact with Brad Simpson or possess any firearms, and was fitted with a GPS monitor as per his bail conditions.
Authorities said his case is related to the investigation into Suzanne Simpson's disappearance.
Husband charged with murdering real estate agent Suzanne Simpson 'showed no emotion' after disappearance: DOCS
Missing Texas mother Suzanne Simpson is pictured with her husband Brad Simpson. (Facebook/Suzanne Simpson)
suzanne I went missing Records show that on Oct. 6, she allegedly got into an argument with her husband of 22 years outside their home in Olmos Park in the San Antonio area. Although her body has not yet been recovered, authorities believe Mr. Simpson “intentionally and intentionally caused” Suzanne's death “on or about Sunday, October 6,” according to the indictment.
Sign up to get our true crime newsletter
Neighbors reportedly witnessed Mr. Simpson assault his wife the night he disappeared, and then heard screams coming from the nearby woods. Meanwhile, the couple's 5-year-old child allegedly told a school counselor that her father “pushed her” on the night of October 6. “He slammed his mother against a wall, physically punched her in the face in the residence, injuring her elbow,” and “turned off her mother's phone as they were fighting,” according to the affidavit.
On November 7, Brad was charged with Suzanne's murder.
Suzanne Simpson's husband went to dumpster, hardware store and car wash hours after real estate agent disappeared: documents
Brad Simpson booking photo. (Kendall County Sheriff's Office)
On December 3, a Bexar County grand jury indicted Simpson on two charges. first degree felony – Murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury to a family member. These crimes carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. He was also charged with two additional counts of tampering with a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Get real-time updates directly true crime hub
Suzanne's DNA was reportedly found on a “reciprocating saw,” and law enforcement accuses Simpson of concealing it, according to the indictment and indictment. KABB report.
“Knowing that there was an investigation going on, a missing person investigation,” Simpson “then and there… concealed something. The indictment says he used a “reciprocating saw” on Oct. 8, two days after his wife disappeared.
Missing Suzanne Simpson's daughter says father “took my mother's life'' after real estate agent disappeared
Suzanne Simpson reportedly disappeared in Texas after a fight with her husband. (Olmos Park Police)
The indictment also states that on Oct. 7, Simpson “knowingly committed the crime of murder, alteration, destruction, and concealment of human remains with intent to impair their usefulness as evidence in a subsequent investigation.” “He committed the act on the spot,” he added. It is related to a murder case. ”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Authorities say there has been no sign that Suzanne has been alive since her husband allegedly assaulted her on October 6, which was confirmed by her cell phone records, financial records, and family, friends and co-workers. said.
