Judge Joel Perez of the 437th District Court granted state prosecutors a motion for continuance on Tuesday in the murder case against Brad Chandler Simpson, who is accused of killing his wife, Suzanne Clark Simpson, after she disappeared from their Olmos Park home in October 2024.
During the pretrial hearing, prosecutors told the court they are still working through several terabytes of evidence and that the discovery would not be ready in time for the planned February trial. Perez agreed and reset the trial timeline by about 60 days, citing the additional time the defense will need to review materials once discovery is complete.
Jury selection had originally been scheduled for Feb. 17.
Prosecutors also raised a request to pursue a forfeiture by wrongdoing hearing under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 38.49, which allows certain statements into evidence if a defendant is found to have wrongfully caused a witness’ unavailability.
Defense attorneys said they had reviewed the request but had not filed a response at the time of the hearing. Perez said he will decide whether the hearing will go forward once the issue is formally before the court.
Defense attorneys also requested access to personnel records for three officers involved in the investigation. While the officers were not named, the defense is seeking records from multiple agencies, including the Olmos Park Police Department, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Prosecutors said they did not oppose the request and agreed to submit it to the appropriate agencies.
Perez said that while he will allow the requests to proceed, he will still need to review the records to determine whether any of the material is admissible in court.
More than a year after Suzanne Simpson’s disappearance, the case remains pending as prosecutors continue to review evidence as part of the discovery process. Court hearings throughout 2025 also largely focused on evidence and discovery, including disputes over the scope and timing of the materials prosecutors must turn over to the defense.
What happened to Suzanne
Suzanne Clark Simpson, 51, was reported missing on Oct. 7, 2024, one day after she was last seen at the couple’s home in Olmos Park. Investigators later alleged in court records that Suzanne and Brad Simpson had attended a party at The Argyle, a private club in Alamo Heights, before an argument continued into the night.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit unsealed in November 2024, a neighbor reported hearing the couple arguing outside their home and described seeing a physical struggle. The neighbor told investigators Suzanne ran from the yard and that he later heard screams from a wooded area across the street. The affidavit also outlines cellphone data, surveillance footage and other evidence that investigators say tracked Brad Simpson’s movements in the hours and days after Suzanne disappeared.
Brad Simpson was initially arrested Oct. 9, 2024, in Kendall County on charges of assault-family violence and unlawful restraint. He was later charged with murder on Nov. 7, 2024. A Bexar County grand jury later indicted him on four counts: murder, tampering with a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and possession of a prohibited weapon. He has remained in custody.
His associate, James Cotter, who is accused of tampering with evidence with intent to impair the investigation, is scheduled to go to trial March 4.
Investigators have still not recovered Suzanne Simpson’s body.
READ MORE: A recap of the events that have unfolded since Suzanne was reported missing.
