Executive Summary
- Nancy Lee Simmons, 83, was found shot to death at her home on Romer Lee Court.
- Deputies arrested her husband, William Elwood Simmons, 80, on a first-degree murder charge.
- The incident occurred around 5:20 p.m. on Sunday in Orange County.
- The suspect has been booked into the Orange County Jail while the investigation continues.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) have arrested an 80-year-old man on a charge of first-degree murder following the fatal shooting of his wife at their residence on Sunday evening.
Law enforcement officials responded to a call regarding a shooting at approximately 5:20 p.m. in a residential neighborhood located on Romer Lee Court, near Curry Ford Road. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the body of 83-year-old Nancy Lee Simmons. She was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to statements released by the Sheriff’s Office.
Homicide detectives quickly identified the victim’s husband, William Elwood Simmons, as the primary suspect in the investigation. Following an initial review of evidence at the scene, investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Simmons. He was subsequently taken into custody and booked into the Orange County Jail, where he faces a charge of first-degree murder.
The Sheriff’s Office has not yet released specific details regarding the motive or the events immediately preceding the shooting. Authorities stated that the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Judicial Proceedings and Legal Context
The filing of a first-degree murder charge in Florida indicates that prosecutors believe there is evidence of premeditation or that the killing occurred during the commission of another specific felony. Under state law, this charge carries the most severe penalties, including life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or the death penalty, depending on the circumstances and the decision of the State Attorney’s Office. As the case moves to the arraignment phase, the court will likely address bond conditions, though first-degree murder defendants are typically held without bond. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
