Ronald Gene Simmons embarked on a chilling week-long killing spree during Christmas 1987, resulting in the deaths of 16 people, including his own family members. Initially presenting as a disciplined military man, Simmons's facade crumbled to reveal a history of severe abuse and a shocking family secret. Within the isolated confines of Mockingbird Hill in Arkansas, he turned his home from a place of supposed safety into a house of horrors, where he methodically murdered his loved ones under the guise of holiday cheer. As the violence escalated, Simmons's actions extended beyond his family, targeting acquaintances and former colleagues, showcasing a deeply ingrained rage and a complete disregard for life. This dark tale serves as a haunting reminder of the depths of human depravity and the tragic consequences of unchecked abuse and isolation.
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Transcripts
Kimberly Holmes:
Warning. This podcast contains graphic content, including descriptions of violence, abuse, and disturbing crimes. Listener discretion is strongly advised.
Christmas week:
Over seven days, he turned the warmth of the season into an unthinkable nightmare, leaving behind a trail of death that would shake all who heard it. A remote property in Arkansas, silent but sinister, set at the heart of the horror, the ground held secrets no one could fathom.
A family once sheltered in the seclusion of their home had been reduced to a terrifying tragedy. And for Simmons, this was only the beginning.
What began with his family soon grew to include innocent strangers, all consumed in the shocking rampage of a man who chose murder as his cruel anthem for the holidays.
I'm your host, Kimberly Holmes, and you're listening to Owl in Red, a true crime podcast that explores the darkest reaches of humanity.
Each week, we unearth the chilling realities of violence, tragedy, and loss. These are stories that must be told.
Today we'll examine the case of Ronald Gene Simmons, a former military man and family man who cast aside every bond and every boundary in a crime spree that remains one of the most brutal in modern history. Before we begin, I'd like to remind you to join our Owlred community where we discuss these cases in depth, support each other, and share resources.
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Now, let's begin. Ronald Gene Simmons seemed, at first glance to embody discipline and duty.
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After his mother remarried, frequent relocations became a way of life as his stepfather worked for the US Army. At age 17, Simmons left school and joined the US Navy, where he met and married Ursabe Rebecca Uliberi.
Together, they raised seven children, traveling as a military family unit.
After serving in the Navy, Simmons transitioned to the US Air Force, earning accommodations like the Bronze Star Medal and the Vietnam Gallantry cross during his 20 years of service. But beneath the surface of his career and family life, cracks appeared. Allegations of severe abuse. And a secret that would later prove damning.
That Simmons had fathered a child with his teenage daughter, Sheila, would send the family, retreating in shame, to remote property in Polk County, Arkansas. This 13 acre tract, chillingly named Mockingbird Hill, was where said family's isolation deepened.
The home made from Two ramshackle mobile units lacked even basic utilities. Loss of social connection, financial instability and absolute control defined Simmons grip on those closest to him. Until finally it snapped.
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Both were bludgeoned with a crowbar before being fatally shot. Then he strangled his three year old granddaughter Barbara and discarded their bodies in the sewage pits his family had dug months earlier.
He would go on to kill the children who returned home for Christmas break. One by one, Simmons called them forward under the ruse of giving them presents. And tragically, one by one, they were murdered.
She, strangulation and drowning were his methods of choice. Their lives extinguished in silence. Seven victims by sundown. All confined to the very home that once promised shelter.
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He then turned the gun on his eldest daughter Sheila, her husband Dennis, and their seven year old daughter Sylvia. His youngest victim that day was his grandson, just 21 months old.
Simmons ritualistically laid many of the bodies in neat rows in his living room as if order could mask the horror. His drinking and television watching resumed as if nothing had changed. The silence within the house became deafening.
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First, he shot and killed Kathy Kendrick. As secretary, Simmons had an infatuation with who had rejected him.
His rampage continued as he shot and killed James Chaffin, then injured four others, including his former boss from a prior job. Finally, Simmons surrendered calmly to the police, his 40 minute spree completed. By December 28, the body count was staggering.
16 dead and four injured. However, the most horrific part of his killing spree lay in the rubble of Mockingbird Hill. Once arrested, Simmons showed neither regret nor remorse.
His behavior during the trial veered into violence. And while convicted and sentenced to death, he consistently declined opportunities to appeal.
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His legacy a permanent scar on the history of Arkansas and true crime. This story is more than a list of tragic events. It's a haunting reminder of the dark corners of humanity.
The silence and isolation that surrounded the Suhmans family enabled years of abuse and tragedy hidden from the world until it became too late to stop. If you or someone you know is trapped in an abusive relationship or unsafe environment, don't wait to seek help.
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Thank you for listening to this episode of Owl in Red. Remember to share this episode with others, especially if you could bring awareness to someone in need.
Be safe and join us next time as we dive into the massacre best told on Christmas Day. You will never look at Santa Claus the same way again. Until next time, I'm Kimberly Holmes.
Stay curious, stay compassionate and as always, stay vigilant.
