THE DARK SIDE OF NEBRASKA
Erwin "Charles" Simants
#30312
photo courtesy Lincoln Evening Journal
Full Name: Erwin "Charles" Simants
DOB: October 4, 1945
Charge: 1st degree murder - sentenced to death
County: Lincoln
City: Sutherland
Current Status: Regional Center
Date of Crime: October 18, 1975
Victim: Florence Marie Kellie, James Henry Kellie, Audrey Marie Kellie, David Leroy Kellie, Daniel Leroy Kellie, Deanna Kellie
DOB: October 4, 1945
Charge: 1st degree murder - sentenced to death
County: Lincoln
City: Sutherland
Current Status: Regional Center
Date of Crime: October 18, 1975
Victim: Florence Marie Kellie, James Henry Kellie, Audrey Marie Kellie, David Leroy Kellie, Daniel Leroy Kellie, Deanna Kellie
During the course of the afternoon of October 18, 1975, Charles Simants drank at one of the local bars in Sutherland with members of his family and friends. At approximately 9 PM, Charles asked his sister, Mrs. Boggs, to take him to her residence where he was staying. The residence was located next to the residence of Henry Kellie.
After returning Charles to her home, Mrs. Boggs returned to the bar. Charles visited with his 13-year old nephew, then went to his brother-in-law's bedroom for a .22 caliber rifle. He obtained some shells and loaded it. He then told his nephew to keep the kids in the house and left the residence.
Some 45 minutes later, Charles returned to his sister's home, unloaded the rifle, and put it back in place, writing a note at the kitchen table that read: "I am sorry to all - it is the best way out - do not cry." Charles then told his nephew that he had just killed the Kellies and named them to him. He then had his nephew call his mother, who resided in Sutherland, and Charles told her about the killings. He went to his parent's home and told them again that he just killed the Kellies. His father went to the Kellie home, came back to his own home, told his wife what he had found, and called the authorities.
Charles left his parent's home, went to two downtown bars, drank some beer at each, and returned to a field at the rear of his sister's residence. He remained there until approximately 8 AM. At that time, he tried to get into his sister's home and was refused admission. His sister called the authorities to whom he gave a statement.
Charles attempted to have sexual relations with Florence Marie Kellie, a 10-year old girl. During the process, he shot her in the forehead with the rifle which caused her death. He then heard the girl's grandfather, James Henry Kellie approaching. He went to the bedroom doorway and shot him as he approached. He then dragged the body into the bedroom.
Shortly thereafter, Audrey Marie Kellie, the child's grandmother, entered the house. Charles killed her with a shot in the forehead and evidence would indicate some sexual molestation. Shortly thereafter, the Kellie's son, David Leroy Kellie, and his two children came into the house. Charles killed David and his two children, Daniel Leroy, 5, and Deanna, 7. The evidence would indicate some sexual molestation of Deanna.
In other news:
It has recently been brought to Dark Side's attention that fellow Dark Side viewer, Donald Vasicek, is working on a documentary in honor of the Kellie family. You can visit his website for further details at Indiegogo. He is currently taking contributions/donations to help with funding his project. You can donate using PayPal.com (dvasicek@earthlink.net).
After returning Charles to her home, Mrs. Boggs returned to the bar. Charles visited with his 13-year old nephew, then went to his brother-in-law's bedroom for a .22 caliber rifle. He obtained some shells and loaded it. He then told his nephew to keep the kids in the house and left the residence.
Some 45 minutes later, Charles returned to his sister's home, unloaded the rifle, and put it back in place, writing a note at the kitchen table that read: "I am sorry to all - it is the best way out - do not cry." Charles then told his nephew that he had just killed the Kellies and named them to him. He then had his nephew call his mother, who resided in Sutherland, and Charles told her about the killings. He went to his parent's home and told them again that he just killed the Kellies. His father went to the Kellie home, came back to his own home, told his wife what he had found, and called the authorities.
Charles left his parent's home, went to two downtown bars, drank some beer at each, and returned to a field at the rear of his sister's residence. He remained there until approximately 8 AM. At that time, he tried to get into his sister's home and was refused admission. His sister called the authorities to whom he gave a statement.
Charles attempted to have sexual relations with Florence Marie Kellie, a 10-year old girl. During the process, he shot her in the forehead with the rifle which caused her death. He then heard the girl's grandfather, James Henry Kellie approaching. He went to the bedroom doorway and shot him as he approached. He then dragged the body into the bedroom.
Shortly thereafter, Audrey Marie Kellie, the child's grandmother, entered the house. Charles killed her with a shot in the forehead and evidence would indicate some sexual molestation. Shortly thereafter, the Kellie's son, David Leroy Kellie, and his two children came into the house. Charles killed David and his two children, Daniel Leroy, 5, and Deanna, 7. The evidence would indicate some sexual molestation of Deanna.
In other news:
It has recently been brought to Dark Side's attention that fellow Dark Side viewer, Donald Vasicek, is working on a documentary in honor of the Kellie family. You can visit his website for further details at Indiegogo. He is currently taking contributions/donations to help with funding his project. You can donate using PayPal.com (dvasicek@earthlink.net).
Source: FindACase
