The man accused of the murder of a Lake-area exotic dancer has been found guilty. A Laclede County jury heard the murder case of Kelly R. Simino.
In January, the Miller County Prosecutor charged Simino with 2nd Degree Murder in the 2006 death of Brandi Mathews.
Mathews worked as a dancer under the name "Faith" at an Osage Beach strip club when she disappeared in 2006. Three years later, hikers stumbled upon her remains under a bridge in rural Miller County. Police picked-up Simino the same day Mathews’ remains were positively identified. Police cited a parole violation as the reason for the arrest, but he was held in custody ever since.
Simino was Mathews' boyfriend at the time she disappeared. Those she worked with at Club Flirt had suspected that Simino was behind her death.
In court documents obtained by KRCG, investigators report that two witnesses have gone on record saying that Simino had confessed to breaking Mathews' neck. One witness told investigators that Simino was emotional when he confessed to killing her and that he said it was an accident.
Investigators also mention a third witness who positively identified Simino as the man she saw chocking a woman on a bridge. Police say it was the same bridge where Mathew’s remains were found.
In May 2011, Simino’s case was transferred to the Laclede County court system.
Laclede County court officials said the trial started October 24th. It wrapped up late Monday.
Simino’s sentencing is set for January 6th.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKRCG