Husband of missing San Antonio mom of 4 Suzanne Simpson charged with murder

A Texas husband has been charged with murder more than a month after his wife disappeared in San Antonio, court records show.

Brad Chandler Simpson, 53, remained jailed Friday on $2 million bond, online Bexar County Sheriff's Office records showed.

Court records show Simpson, who was jailed at the time the additional felony charge was filed against him in connection to his wife's disappearance, appeared before a judge Thursday. During the hearing, the judge set conditions of bond in place should he post bail, including he not possess a firearm and undergo routine drug testing, online records show.

His wife, real estate agent Suzanne Simpson, disappeared the night of Oct. 6, the Olmos Park Police Department reported.

'We're very concerned'

Police said the missing woman was last seen outside her home in the suburb of Olmos Park and was reported missing the next day.

The small city is in Bexar County about four miles north of downtown San Antonio.

"We're very concerned," Olmos Park Police Chief Fidel Villegas said at a news conference last month.

A neighbor reported seeing an argument between Simpson and her husband Brad become physical after they returned from a party near their home the night she was last seen, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KSAT-TV. The neighbor reported hearing two or three screams a short time later, a detective wrote in the affidavit.

Husband given public defender

Court records show a judge appointed Simpson a public defender in the case.

Attorney Keri Mallon, with the Bexar County Public Defender's Office, told USA TODAY Friday the office had no comment on the case.

Steven Gilmore, a court-appointed attorney given to him after he was arrested last month including the assault of a family member previously told the San Antonio Express-News, the charges against Brad Simpson were "ludicrous" and said the case was “theater to incapacitate him, to keep him in custody."

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Husband, business partner arrested as search continues 

In the midst of searching for Simpson, authorities have arrested her husband and his business partner, James Vallee Cotter. According to the arrest affidavit obtained by KSAT-TV, Brad Simpson was “uncooperative” with the investigation and did not show up to a follow-up interview.

Her husband, according the arrest affidavit, "appeared to be separating himself from his family" and had sought refuge at his Bandera County ranch. He was arrested Oct. 9, according the Austin American Statesman, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Court records show he was charged with domestic-related unlawful restraint, assault causing bodily injury to a family member, prohibited weapon possession and tampering with evidence.. A federal complaint was also filed against him alleging he was in possession of a rifle not registered to him. 

The Department of Public Safety announced the arrest of his business partner, James Vallee Cotter, last month. Cotter was charged with prohibited weapon possession. No attorney was listed for Cotter. 

Cotter is accused of hiding an AK-47 in the wall of his home because Brad Simpson asked him to, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KENS-TV.

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Police have searched landfill, other sites for Suzanne Simpson

Authorities have conducted sweeps at a number of locations, including a local basin and a landfill in the area, to no avail.

Simpson’s sudden disappearance was “highly unusual,” Villegas said at the news conference. "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."

Simpson, whose children are between the ages of 5 and 20, worked as a realtor Nix Realty Company and was "very involved in the school and sports activities of (her) children," according to an online biography accessed by the Statesman.

On Friday, the missing and presumed dead woman's updated biography stated the following:

"Suzanne Simpson is a beloved Mother, Sister, Friend, & Professional Realtor.  Her Nix Realty Family is devastated by her disappearance and the reports of physical violence towards her Along with so many others who love Suzanne, we will continue to pray for her."

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.