Despite Brad Simpson's arrest, he is not currently a suspect in the disappearance of his wife, Suzanne Clark Simpson.
Alexis SimmermanUSA TODAY NETWORK
The husband of a missing Texas woman and mother of four has been arrested and charged with assault and family violence.
Suzanne Clark Simpson, 51, has been missing from Olmos Park since Oct. 7. Her disappearance prompted the Texas Department of Public Safety to issue a CLEAR Alert — used for missing, kidnapped or abducted adults, or adults who are believed to be in immediate danger.
TIMELINE: Disappearance of Suzanne Clark Simpson
An arrest affidavit obtained by KSAT provides a loose timeline for the events surrounding Suzanne Clark Simpson's disappearance.
- Sunday evening: Suzanne and her husband Brad, 53, attended a party at The Argyle in the Alamo Heights neighborhood of San Antonio. This was close to their home in the 500 block of East Olmos Drive, near Shook Avenue. Suzanne was wearing a black dress.
- Sunday, between 10 and 11 p.m.: A neighbor told investigators he heard screams and saw Suzanne and Brad Simpson in a physical altercation. The neighbor said Brad appeared to grab Suzanne "and gain control of her body" as he "was clearly attempting to keep Ms. Simpson from running away." He last saw the couple walking westbound, and he went outside to see what was happening.
- A short time later: The neighbor reports hearing two or three screams, from a brushy area east of his home.
- About an hour later: The neighbor saw Brad Simpson get into his black GMC pickup truck and leave the house.
- About an hour or two later: Brad Simpson returned to his house.
- Monday, 3 p.m.: Brad Simpson receives a call from their child's school, saying the child had not been picked up. Brad told police that Suzanne usually picks up the child from school.
- Tuesday afternoon: Law enforcement interviewed staff at one of the children's schools. The child told staff her parents were "fighting," and that her dad had hit her mom in the face and taken her phone. After the assault caused her mom to hit a wall, the child recalled seeing a bruise on her mom's elbow.
Brad Simpson arrested, charged with family violence
After failing to appear for a follow-up interview with police, an arrest warrant was issued for Brad Simpson. According to the affidavit, he had gone to his Bandera County ranch and "appeared to be separating himself from his family." Olmos Park police report he was arrested off Interstate 10 East on a frontage road in Kendall County early Wednesday morning.
Simpson was booked into the Kendall County jail and charged with assault causing bodily injury - family violence and unlawful restraint. The bonds are $1 million for each charge, adding up to $2 million.
One of Simpson's relatives was interviewed by Olmos Park Police Chief Fidel Villegas, who told the officer that Simpson “had called him and apologized for all the problems that he had caused.”
'We're very concerned': Police give Wednesday update
Olmos Park law enforcement held a press conference to discuss updates on the case, broadcast by WOAI News. Despite announcing Brad Simpson's arrest, Villegas said he was not a suspect in his wife's disappearance at the time.
"Suzanne was known and is known as a very loving and reliable person, especially with her children and her work. She hasn’t been to work and she hasn’t contacted her children so [it’s] highly unusual," Villegas said.
The search began in a wooded area near the family's home, Sergeant Deon Cockrell said. At the time of the press conference, roads had been closed to allow the investigation to continue. Villegas reported police had found two items of interest but did not disclose further details. He also asked the public not to search for Suzanne without police supervision.
Law enforcement is working on getting search warrants for the family's home and finding Suzanne's cell phone. They are also looking into other properties owned by the family.
"We're very concerned," Villegas added.
Suzanne works as a realtor for Nix Realty Company in San Antonio. According to her bio, she is "very involved in the school and sports activities of [her] children." At Wednesday's press conference, friends continued hoping for a positive outcome.
Heather Affleck has known Suzanne for over 20 years.
"We just want people to keep looking for her and pray for her family and her kids," Affleck said.
Camille Mandigo said Suzanne is a "great friend" and a "wonderful mom" with no enemies.
"Everybody loves Suzanne. She’s the kindest, sweetest person," Mandigo said. "I don’t think anybody could say anything bad about her."
Police are asking the public for tips on the location of Brad Simpson's vehicle Sunday night following the family violence incident. The vehicle is a 2019 dark-colored GMC Sierra pickup truck, with Texas license plate MWD7050.
Anyone with information on Suzanne Clark Simpson's whereabouts is asked to call one of the following:
- 210-822-2000: Olmos Police Department
- 210-209-2701: Detective Hector Ruiz
- 210-219-2702: Detective Melissa Campbell
