St. Petersburg, Florida – Gregory Shinn, 48, faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of his girlfriend, 59-year-old Katrin Simpson. In a tragic turn of events, police suspect Shinn of attempting to stage Simpson’s death as a suicide by hanging.
Authorities and emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly before 11:30 p.m. on February 20. Simpson was found hanging in the garage by a wire attached to a wooden beam. Despite efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Shinn claimed he discovered Simpson’s body and rushed to a neighbor’s house to call 911, stating that Simpson had a history of suicidal ideation.
However, further investigation revealed inconsistencies in Shinn’s account. Simpson’s injuries, including bruising, brain hemorrhaging, and rib fractures, were not consistent with suicide, according to the medical examiner. Additionally, a neighbor disclosed Simpson’s previous statements implicating Shinn in her demise.
Detectives uncovered incriminating evidence at the couple’s residence, including spools of electrical wire and a sheet with traces of blood. Shinn’s DNA was found on the wire tied to the beam, contradicting his initial claims of not touching it.
Shinn’s changing statements and the nature of Simpson’s injuries led to his arrest on March 21. The medical examiner concluded Simpson’s death as a homicide, citing strangulation, blunt force trauma, and multi-drug toxicity as contributing factors.
Friends and neighbors expressed relief and closure following Shinn’s arrest. Johanna Monighan and Stacey McKnight, longtime acquaintances of Simpson, welcomed the news with mixed emotions. The community can now rest assured that justice is being served for the tragic loss of Katrin Simpson.