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Cumberland Man Suspected Of Murdering Missing woman

October 1st, 2013 by WCBC Radio

On Tuesday,  investigators with the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I) arrested 44 year old Stephen George Schleuniger, of Cumberland, in connection with the disappearance and suspected death of 43 year old Lisa Ann Simmons.  On September 9th family members reported Simmons as missing to the Cumberland Police. Simmons had not been seen, nor reported to work, since Thursday, 09/05/2013. An investigation into Simmons’ disappearance was initiated at that time. None of Simmons’ family, friends, or co-workers had seen her since she last worked. All stated that is was not like Simmons to not contact her family, to not report for work, and to leave behind her pet dogs without making arrangements for their care.   On 09/10/2013 the Cumberland Police met with the family at Simmons’ Browning Street residence as part of the investigation. At that time, what was believed to be bloody footprints were discovered on the front porch leading from the residence. The Cumberland Police requested the assistance of the C3I Unit based on the suspicious nature of Simmons’ disappearance. C3I Investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence. At that time they discovered an area of the rug in the front room that appeared to have been recently cleaned and was still wet. What appeared to be a large blood stain was discovered on the underside of the rug and on the floor beneath the rug. The stain presumptively tested positive for the presence of blood. The scene was processed by Crime Scene Technicians with the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division.  Interviews of neighbors and friends determined that there had been a physical confrontation between Schleuniger, who was Simmons live-in boyfriend, and Simmons soon after her arrival home from work on 09/05/2013. Neighbors heard Simmons yelling for help before becoming quiet. They further observed what they believed to be Schleuniger kicking, or “stomping”, something through the front window. The blood stain was located in the same area where the confrontation occurred. Investigators obtained and served several additional search warrants. A pair of shoes that appeared to match the prints on the front porch was recovered from the truck that Schleuniger, who is a truck driver, was driving. What appeared to be blood was discovered on top of the shoes and on the sole of the shoes. All the evidence was forwarded to the Maryland State Police Crime Lab for analysis. DNA analysis indicated that the blood on the shoes and the blood found in the rug matched the known DNA profile of the victim.

 

            Although Simmons’ body has not been recovered yet, based on the fact that all possible means of locating her have been exhausted and she has not been located, the large amount of blood found in the residence, and the lab analysis of that evidence, Investigators believe that Simmons is dead and obtained an arrest warrant for Schleuniger. He has been charged with 1st Degree Murder, 1st Degree Assault, 2nd Degree Assault, and Reckless Endangerment.

 

            Schleuniger was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an initial appearance. He is currently being held at the Allegany County Detention Center without bond pending his next court appearance.

 

Anyone with information about the case is being asked to contact the Cumberland Police, at 301-777-1600, or the C3I Unit, at 301-777-0326. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can call the Allegany/Mineral County Crime Solvers at 301-722-4300, where callers may be eligible for a reward of up to $1500.00 for information leading to a conviction in this case.

 

The investigation is continuing by the Cumberland Police and C3I.

 

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