TX Texas landlord indicted for the murder of tenant Holly Simmons in 14-year cold case

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Holly Simmons: Texas landlord indicted for the murder of a tenant in 14-year cold case - CNN

The former landlord of a woman missing since 2006 in Texas surrendered to authorities Wednesday after being indicted for her murder, according to the Llano County Sheriff's Office.

Jimmy Wolfenbarger, 57, of Lubbock was indicted on May 3 on one count of murder in the death of Holly Simmons, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Simmons was 46 when she was reported missing by her 17-year-old daughter in 2006. She was last seen alive when she dropped off her daughter at the school bus stop the previous morning, authorities said in a statement.
Following Simmons' disappearance, her house was examined for evidence and neighbors, coworkers and associates were interviewed by investigators. The Llano County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Rangers worked this case for years but she was not found, the statement added.

Finally, in 2009, a recreational diver found a submerged aluminum boat at the bottom of a lake near Simmons' home, the statement says. Her body was discovered at the bottom of the boat with concrete bags placed over her. The Texas Department of Public Safety Dive Team and the Llano County Sheriff's Office jointly recovered the boat and Simmons' remains, according to the statement.

The Travis County Medical Examiner's Office identified Simmons from dental records and ruled the death a homicide, according to the Llano County Sheriff's Office release.

In 2016, the Texas Rangers Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program began reviewing the case and named Wolfenbarger as a suspect following a five-year investigation, according to the DPS.

At the time of the alleged murder, Wolfenbarger was Simmons' landlord and lived near her home in an RV park.

Wolfenbarger turned himself in to the Lubbock County Jail on Wednesday and was released after posting $2 million bond, according to the sheriff's office. He has been ordered to surrender his passport, the sheriff's office said. CNN has been unable to confirm whether Wolfenbarger has an attorney.

 

[Gibbo214]

And we can't imagine why this man killed this woman, can we? Women are not safe, anywhere.

 

[everybodhi]

A statement from her children.
Justice For Holly Simmons

UPDATE: Strangulation cause of death in ‘Lady in the Lake’ murder as arrest made
“Sherwood [sister] and Wishman [brother] said they weren’t surprised when they learned Wolfenbarger had been arrested for the murder. Simmons had been living on his family’s property, and he was her landlord at the time of her disappearance.
“What we’ve been told over the past 15 years is he was the main suspect,” Sherwood said, “but there wasn’t enough evidence.”
The siblings were both disappointed Wolfenbarger bonded out of jail.
“I don’t think he should have ever been able to have bond,” Wishman said. “He should be behind bars.”
“Hopefully he doesn’t get away, and hopefully they’ve got a good case, and justice will be served for her, her kids, her grandkids and the rest of the family,” Wishman said.”

 

[TGIRecovered]

‘Lady in the Lake’ murder case may hinge on DNA evidence

Developments in the Holly Marie Simmons murder case await the completion of DNA testing that could be finished before the end of the year, said Llano County District Attorney Sonny McAfee on Thursd…

www.kxan.com

 

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The case has a plea deadline of August 19, meaning that’s the last day the judge will entertain a plea agreement, said McAfee.

Jimmy Don Wolfenbarger, 60, was indicted for Simmons’ murder in May 2021. The case sat mostly idle, with nearly a dozen status hearings being reset or canceled since then. In August of 2022, McAfee told KXAN the case could hinge on DNA evidence that was still being tested at the time. Court records show the prosecution was “still waiting on DNA” a year later in August 2023.

After 17 years, Holly Simmons’ murder case going to trial

The murder case of Holly Marie Simmons could take a significant step forward at a hearing in Llano County District Court.

www.newsnationnow.com