Family of Toccoa man appeals for information on his death

TOCCOA - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Toccoa Police Department, and the family of a Toccoa man are seeking the public's help in solving a 3-year-old homicide case.

Gathered outside Toccoa Police Department this week, they spoke with members of the media about the death of Robert (Rob) Lee Simmons Jr.

Simmons, 46, was found dead inside his home at Glendale Apartments on Norman Drive in Toccoa on March 1, 2011.

Wearing "Justice for Robbie" shirts, family members made a tearful plea for anyone with information to come forward.

Simmons' sister, Katina Aaron, appealed to people to provide information to law enforcement.

"I just want to make a plea to the public," Aaron said. "If you know something, say something. Put yourself in our shoes right now - not knowing who killed your family member. Think about that and how would you feel."

Aaron said she hopes justice is done, noting the family needs closure.

"We don't know why," Aaron said. "We don't know who did it. It's hard."

Aaron said she and all the family had talked to Simmons earlier on the day of his death.

"My brother was a loveable person," Aaron said. "A lot of times he stood in the place of being a dad 'cause my father passed. If you asked him to do anything, he would do it. I know when I needed help he came all the way from Florida up to Kentucky with a broken leg on the bus."

Overcome with grief, Simmons' mother Lucy also asked for anyone with information to come forward.

"All I pray is that someone out there, please, that knows something come forward and give us some peace," Lucy Simmons said. "We loved Robert and he's really, really missed."

Lucy Simmons said she has not given up hope of finding the person(s) responsible for her son's death.

"I prayed to God that before I leave this world I would be able to just look them in the eye and let them know what they took from us. I said to God, if not me at least his sisters and brothers and his nephew and the rest of the family - that they will find out who did it."

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 8 Special Agent in Charge Kimberly Williams announced that a reward has been established for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for Simmons' death.

Anyone with information about Simmons' death can call the GBI Tip Line at (800) 597-8477; GBI Region 8 Office in Cleveland at (706) 348-4866; or Toccoa Police Department at (706) 282-3277.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/2/271740