Boyfriend Of Woman Missing For Three Years Charged With Murder:



Kelly Robert Simino (mug shot MCSO)


Four years after Brandi Mathews disappeared and almost two years to the day after her remains were found under a concrete bridge in Miller County, her boyfriend has been charged with her murder.

Brandi June Mathews worked as a dancer known as Faith at several strip clubs in the Lake of the Ozarks area when she went missing in September of 2006.  But it wasn't until March of 2008 that authorities would take a missing person report on the woman.
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Mathews' mother, Deanna Roberts, says law enforcers wouldn't listen or help her find her daughter until a detective in Osage Beach began helping her after he found her crying in the lobby of the police station.

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At the time of her disappearance, Mathews was not in contact with her family because of custody disputes involving her then 18 month old son.
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On January 3, 2009, a family out walking their dog along a creek near Eldon discovered a human skull with teeth and other bones partially wrapped in fabric protruding out of mud and called 911.
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At the time Mathews remains were found Miller County Sheriff Bill Abbott said that Mathews was known to be associated with alleged drug dealers in the Eldon area, and was in an abusive relationship with one of them.
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Miller County Sheriff Bill Abbott (courtesy lakenewsonline.com)

Kelly Robert Simino, 33, Mathews boyfriend, was always the chief suspect in the young mother's disappearance.  Authorities say Mathews had made at least six reports of violence towards her by Simino.
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Brandi Mathews with her son (family photo)

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Osage Beach Police Detective Tracy Robinett writes in the probable cause statement, "On about August 15, 2006 Brandi Mathews provided information to Law Enforcement in Eldon Missouri leading to the arrest of Kelly Simino for narcotics, (Eldon Police report #179722, August 2006). On August 16, 2006 Brandi Mathews obtained an order of protection against Kelly Simino after she assisted in his arrest. On the protection order application it states that Brandi Mathews is seeking the order of protection from Kelly Simino because she assisted law enforcement in the arrest of Kelly Simino for possession of drugs in Eldon Missouri. Brandi stated on the application she was afraid that Kelly Simino would retaliate against her for her role in his arrest. A copy of this paperwork was served on Kelly Simino on August 16, 2006."
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According to court documents, "On December 17, 2008 Investigators interviewed a witness in the case concerning Brandi Mathews. This witness reported during September or October of 2006 Kelly Simino made an unsolicited visit to the witness's residence. During this visit Kelly Simino was very emotional and told the witness, he killed Brandi Mathews by choking her or breaking her neck."
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"Another witness and associate of Kelly Simino stated he was called to the residence of Anthony Scott to view the Ex Parte Kelly Simino has received. This witness stated he went to Anthony Scott's residence and spoke with Kelly Simino there. According to this witness, Kelly Simino stated that if could kill "that bitch" (Brandi Mathews), and get away with it she would have done been dead."
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Authorities say the latest break in the case came after a witness saw Mathews picture on T.V. in a news story about the case.
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Court records reveal, "An eye witness reported that in the fall of 2006 he witnessed an assault occurring on Salem Rd. near the Rd. Salem Bridge in Eldon Missouri. (This bridge is a short distance upstream from where the Skull of Brandi Mathews was found). This witness stated he noticed a male and a female fighting on Salem Rd. and the male appeared to be choking the female. The witness stated the woman broke out of the male's grasp and ran to the side of a black car. The witness stated the woman was the same woman he had recently seen in the news (Brandi Mathews). The male subject was later identified by the witness in a photo lineup as Kelly Simino."
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Simino was arrested the same day medical examiners positively ID'd that the bones recovered near Eldon belonged to Mathews.  He has a lengthy rap sheet and has remained behind bars since then on a parole violation.  He was scheduled to be released from jail last week.
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Simino's will be formally arraigned for Mathews murder sometime next week.