On the quiet evening of October 18, 1975, the small town of Sutherland, Nebraska, was shattered by an act of unimaginable violence that claimed the life of David LeRoy Kellie, a 32-year-old Caucasian male, along with five members of his family. The tranquility of their home was horrifically violated by their neighbor, Erwin Charles Simants, a 33-year-old unemployed man who had spent the day drinking.
The tragic events unfolded after Simants returned to his sister's residence, which was
adjacent to the Kellie's home. He retrieved a. 22-caliber rifle and entered the Kellie house. Over the next several hours, a scene of terror unfolded as Simants shot and killed six members of the family. David LeRoy Kellie was murdered alongside his wife, Audrey Marie Matson Kellie, and their two young children, five-year-old Daniel Leroy and six-year-old Deanna Lynn. Also slain were David's 66-year-old father, James Henry Kellie, and his 10-year-old sister, Florence Marie Kellie.
After the massacre, Simants returned to his sister s home, where he left a note that read, "I am sorry to all it is the best way out do not crie. " He then confessed the killings to his nephew and subsequently informed his own parents. His father, upon going to the Kellie residence to confirm the horrifying news, discovered the bodies. Simants was arrested the following day, on October 19, 1975, and was charged with six counts of first-degree murder. He was ultimately found not guilty by reason of insanity and was committed to a state mental health facility.
