7News spoke with the family of the mother and son who endured weeks of torture at the hands of 56-year-old Robert Simpson. Simpson is suspected of murdering his mother, son, and son’s girlfriend in a horrific fire last month.
This was Teresa McKinnon’s first holiday without her mother, 85-year-old Margaret McKinnon, and brother, 64-year-old Ronald McKinnon.
“It felt kind of sad,” Teresa McKinnon said.
Teresa’s life fell among the fragments of her childhood home. When it caught fire, her mother, brother, and his 34-year-old girlfriend, Jessica Cunningham, were inside. Investigators claim that the purpose was to block all exits.
“Just hope to get some answers soon,” Teresa said.
According to investigators, Robert Simpson, 56, set fire to the home. Cunningham was his ex-girlfriend.
Court filings show that her last words were “He came back” and “The house is on fire.” 7News learned of this the day before arson police arrived twice at the property.
Just two hours before their deaths, officers returned to the home on 23rd Street in Southeast.
“He needs to be in jail for life, no parole, nothing,” Teresa said. “He should be stripped down to the torture that he’s done to my family.”
Court documents show that police called the residence five times in the week before the fatal arson because Simpson was making threats, breaking windows, and starting fires.
“Make sure that person stays where he’s at and he gets what he deserves,” Teresa said.
Simpson was apprehended one hour after allegedly murdering the three persons. The court rescheduled Simpson’s October appearance to January.
“We just want to get it done and over with so we can get the situation settled,” Teresa said. “So we can go on with our lives and be in a better place of mind.”
