Authorities Asking for Help on Cold Case Homicide
Robert Lee Simmons, Jr.
As the three-year anniversary of a Toccoa homicide approaches, law enforcement and the victim’s family are again asking for the public’s help in finding those responsible for his death.
46-year-old Robert Lee Simmons, Jr. of Toccoa was found dead by a family member on the evening of March 1, 2011 at the Glendale Apartment Complex.
Saturday marks three years since his death and law enforcement, along with Simmons’ family, spoke to the media Tuesday at the Toccoa Police Department.
Kimberly Williams is the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Cleveland office.
She said that investigators continue to work leads in the case and they feel the anniversary marks an opportunity to renew the public’s focus to try and find more information.
“We believe there is someone out there with information that can help us put the pieces together,” said Williams. “No matter how small you think it is, let us determine its relevancy to the investigation.”
Williams said authorities believe Simmons was killed sometime between 5:30 and 7:15 p.m. on March 1, 2011.
She said they cannot release any information about how he died because of the sensitivity of the investigation.
“We want to keep that information,” said Williams, noting it is something only the person or persons responsible would know.
Family members speak to the media
Simmons’ mother, Lucy Simmons, said the last three years have been very hard on her, not knowing who did this or why they did it.
“There have been sleepless nights,” said Simmons. “All I pray is that someone please that knows something, come forward and give us some peace.”
Simmons’ sister, Katina Aaron, also spoke.
She said the family wants justice and closure.
Aaron said her brother was a lovable person and the family does not know anyone that would have had any reason to harm him.
“He often stood in the place of being a dad because my father passed,” said Aaron.
Toccoa Police did not announce Simmons’ death as a homicide until January 2013, almost two years after it happened.
Police Chief Tim Jarrell said he does not know why that information was not released initially.
Anyone with information about the death of Robert Lee Simmons, Jr. is encouraged to call the GBI Tip Line at 1-800-597-8477, the GBI Region Eight Office at 706-348-4866, or the Toccoa Police Department at 706-282-3277.
Information can also be submitted at the GBI’s web site by clicking on the “Unsolved Cases” link.