OWASSO, Okla. - It's a cold case holding an unfortunate record in Owasso, 32-year-old David Simpson was found shot to death in his home more than 30 years ago; it's the only unsolved murder Owasso has ever seen.
It was a relationship only they understood.
"It's a struggle between going backwards and going forwards."
Anita Bellamy said she and her ex-husband David Simpson were lifelong friends.
"I've known David since I was 11 years old," she said.
Sure they fought, but without her his grave at Floral Haven would be bare, like the list of leads investigators have for David's case.
"On that day police were called in reference to a first-degree burglary that was called in by a resident of that home," said Lieutenant Nick Boatman of the Owasso Police Department.
On May 15, 1987, David's wife at the time Joyce Lynn Simpson, was "on the verge of hysteria" when police said she ran to a neighbor's house begging them to call 911.
"I hadn't been on the department that long but that particular neighborhood was still considered a very good neighborhood," said Sergeant Kenneth Young of the Owasso Police Department, who was on the scene that day.
The town was shocked.
"They sat us down and they told us that dad had died."
David's son with ex-wife Anita was 6 years old.
"It was a hard thing to deal with as a kid," said Justin Simpson.
Once police arrived to the home officers said the garage door was open, keys were on the floor and items were sprawled across the home.
They found David shot to death in his bed, but said it appeared he was sleeping.
"One gunshot wound to the back of the head, and that was pretty much all the evidence they had to go on at the time," said Lt. Boatman.
The only evidence because no one ever found the weapon, even after investigators questioned just about everyone.
"I mean I was a suspect just as anybody was at that point," Bellamy said.
David's wife Joyce was also "briefly questioned."
However, police never named an official suspect while this side of David's family has.
"I don't have memories of him sad or crying. I do have memories of him fighting with Joyce," Justin said.
So 2 Works for You went to the source, asking Joyce about these giant accusations.
"There is no way I would ever do anything. I mean, I was devastated," said David's wife at the time, now Joyce Flowers.
She doesn't remember much from that day, just a feeling.
"I have an intense memory of just wrong, and the presence of someone," she said.
She claimed she doesn't now who would want to hurt David, but there were things she thought through that didn't make sense.
"[On] a couple of occasions someone would come to the house. [David would] visit with them and then come back in."
She said like Anita and Justin she just wants a resolution.
"With us not being on the same team that we might actually be slowing down the process."
However, at the center of accusations, assumptions and ultimately a tragedy, was a man.
A man they said loved his kids, racing and a good joke.
"I remember being at the racetrack and sitting on the trailer after the races, and him and all his buddies and us sitting there talking," Justin said.
Number 92 covered newspapers, proudly holding his son Justin in his arms.
"That Cole Swindell song, 'You Should be Here,'" Justin cried.
It fits how he feels perfectly.
His father's death leaving brutal, long-lasting scars.
The devastation shredding years of his life.
"Justin ended up in a psychiatric unit when he was 8 years old," his mother Anita said.
She said he ended up on drugs and spent time in prison.
"It triggered something. And I don't know what it triggered, I don't know why I lost control the way I did," Justin said.
But they got through it together.
"She is my hero there's no doubt about that."
Now, they always keep number 92 nearby, and bring him flowers just to say 'hello.'
To let him know, while they refuse to struggle anymore, one day instead of flowers they'll bring him answers.
Oklahoma's State Bureau of Investigation has just recently renewed the reward for information in this case.
Investigators told 2 Works for You they believe people it originally interviewed didn't share everything, and essential people haven't been interviewed.
It's offering $5,000 for information leading to an arrest.
David's family is also offering $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and prosecution of a suspect.
If you have information reach out to OSBI: Call (800) 522-8017 or email tips@osbi.ok.gov
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