A former Orlando police officer has been indicted in the killing of his 83-year-old wife, who had dementia, after authorities say he admitted to shooting her during an argument about a cruise.
William Simmons, 80, is accused of fatally shooting his wife, Nancy Simmons, at their Orlando home on Feb. 21, according to court documents.
Shortly before 5:30 p.m. that day, an Orange County sheriff’s deputy responded to a call about an unresponsive woman at the couple’s home. When the deputy arrived, Simmons was reportedly standing in front of his garage and waving his hands to get the deputy’s attention.
Simmons told the deputy that Nancy was lying on the kitchen floor, according to his arrest affidavit.
Inside the home, the deputy found Nancy face down in a pool of blood. Authorities also found a shotgun on the floor with one spent shell casing nearby.
When the deputy asked if there were any weapons in the house, Simmons allegedly replied, “Well, one on the floor, I put it there.”
He also allegedly told the deputy, “I do know what happened, I did it,” when asked what had occurred.
Simmons was arrested on a charge of first-degree murder with a firearm.
Court documents allege that Simmons later spoke with sheriff’s investigators and said he was guilty. He allegedly told them he shot his wife after being “triggered” when she cursed at him multiple times during an argument about going on a cruise.
Investigators said Simmons claimed he told Nancy he had “had enough” before shooting her once.
Simmons also allegedly told investigators that he had dealt with his wife’s dementia for too long. According to court documents, he said he “loved the old Nancy” and would rather live in prison than continue dealing with her.
A sheriff’s detective wrote in an arrest warrant affidavit that Simmons “confirmed that Nancy did not try to hurt him, he was not under the influence of narcotics, and this was not self-defense.”
Simmons has pleaded not guilty and remains in the Orange County jail without bond. His attorney, Mark O’Mara, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.
The Orlando Police Department said Simmons was hired in 1975 and retired in 2000.
Nancy Simmons was remembered in her obituary as a woman who “left a lasting impression on everyone she met.”
“A devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Nancy found her greatest happiness in the time spent with those she held dear,” the obituary said. “Nancy’s legacy is one of kindness, generosity, and unwavering devotion to her family.”
Funny, I would have just left and not return home. I suppose his logic is that he will get three hots and a cot, but I can’t imagine doing what he did.