In the quiet, upscale I'On community of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, the morning of May 9, 2017, was shattered by a sudden act of violence that claimed the life of 66-year-old Robert William Simpson. A native of London, England, who had made the Charleston area his home since 1975, Robert, known affectionately as Rob, was a beloved figure in his community and a respected professional in the film industry.
His unexpected and tragic death sent ripples of shock and sorrow through those who knew him.
Initially, the narrative of that fateful morning, as told by his daughter Brittany Simpson, was one of a home invasion gone horribly wrong. She claimed an intruder had broken into their home and shot her father. However, inconsistencies in her account quickly unraveled, and the investigation took a dark turn. Police soon discovered that the story of an unknown assailant was a fabrication. Evidence pointed to Brittany as the one who had fired the fatal shot. Investigators found that she had attempted to conceal her involvement by bundling the clothes she wore during the shooting and the pistol into a backpack, which she then tried to submerge in a nearby creek.
The ensuing investigation brought to light a history of turmoil within the Simpson household, much of it stemming from Brittany's long-standing struggles with mental health. For years, the family had grappled with her erratic behavior, which had necessitated numerous calls to law enforcement for assistance. Just days before the shooting, the family had taken the difficult step of evicting Brittany from their home, a decision that may have been a catalyst for the tragic events that followed.
In April 2019, the legal proceedings came to a close when Brittany Simpson pleaded guilty to the murder of her father. She was subsequently sentenced to 18 years in prison. The case stands as a somber testament to the devastating consequences of untreated mental illness and the profound pain it can inflict on families.
