Suspect identified in Neely case
Phoenix Police have identified a suspect in what has been described as one of the most heinous homicides cases the department has ever seen. Angela Simpson, 33, who was already in jail on an unrelated armed robbery charge, was interviewed by investigators on August 18 and admitted to the murder of Terry Neely. Mr. Neely was last seen leaving an assisted care facility in his motorized wheelchair on August 2, at 8:30 p.m. and was reported as a missing person.
Phoenix Fire responded to a grass fire at 906 West Peoria Avenue on August 5th but when they arrived, saw a green City of Phoenix residential trash can. Once the fire was extinguished, firefighters saw a charred body that appeared to be dismembered inside the trash can. Despite the trauma to the body, fingerprints were obtained and Mr. Neely was identified. An autopsy performed by a Maricopa County Medical Examiner reported multiple acts of brutality were committed against the victim before he was set on fire.
Angela Simpson told investigators that she lured Terry Neely into an abandoned apartment and once inside, attacked, dismembered and placed him in a trash can. Her detailed description matched the injuries that were found during the autopsy examination. Simpson claims to be the only person responsible for Neely’s death, but detectives believe additional people may have been involved in or have knowledge of the incident.