The spouse of a Texas woman who has been unaccounted for over a month now faces murder charges, as revealed by documents from the court and jail.

Brad Simpson, aged 53, received his charges on Thursday in Bexar County, where he is currently being held on a bond amounting to $5 million. His charges include murder, unlawful restraint, assault, evidence tampering, and possession of a forbidden weapon.

Simpson’s attorney, who initially represented him during his early October arrest for unlawful restraint and assault, did not respond to inquiries for comment as of Friday.

These murder charges arise slightly more than a month after the last confirmed sighting of his wife, Suzanne Simpson, 51. She was reportedly seen alive outside their residence in Olmos Park, a suburb of San Antonio, where eyewitness accounts indicated the couple was involved in an altercation.

Law enforcement agencies have been actively searching for Suzanne in a nearby wooded area, a local landfill, and the site where Brad Simpson was apprehended, although all efforts have proven futile so far.

The Texas Department of Public Safety, tasked with the ongoing search for Suzanne, has yet to provide an update or comment as of Friday.

Barton Simpson, Brad’s brother, who has openly criticized him for not cooperating with law enforcement, expressed his gratitude for the police’s dedication to the investigation in a statement to the media in San Antonio.

“It’s truly heartbreaking. Still, it brings a measure of solace to our family that the authorities have compiled enough evidence to justify moving forward with charges,” said Barton Simpson.

“This situation also aids us in accepting that Suzanne is likely no longer with us, which allows us to start a difficult grieving journey and concentrate on rebuilding our lives.”

Barton Simpson did not reply immediately to a request for additional comments on Friday.