St. Petersburg, Florida – A Florida man, Gregory Shinn, 48, is facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of his girlfriend, 59-year-old Katrin Simpson, at their home in February. The tragic incident took place on Whiting Drive in St. Petersburg, where authorities responded to a call about Simpson hanging in the garage by a black wire from a wooden beam. Despite efforts to save her, Simpson was pronounced dead at the scene. Initial reports suggested that it may have been a suicide, but further investigation revealed a much darker truth.
An affidavit reviewed by investigators documented suspicious bruising and injuries on Simpson’s body, indicating potential foul play. Interviews with neighbors and evidence from the house, including spools of electrical wire and blood-stained sheets, raised even more questions about Shinn’s involvement in Simpson’s death. Previous incidents of domestic violence between the couple further added to the complexity of the case. The medical examiner’s findings eventually confirmed that Simpson’s death was a homicide caused by strangulation, blunt force trauma, and multi-drug toxicity.
As the investigation unfolded, Shinn’s conflicting statements and incriminating evidence against him continued to mount. Despite his claims of innocence, DNA evidence linking him to the wire used in the crime further incriminated Shinn. Subsequent phone calls from Shinn to detectives, where he expressed guilt and remorse for his actions, only solidified the case against him.
Friends and neighbors of the victim expressed relief and satisfaction upon Shinn’s arrest. They had long suspected foul play in Simpson’s death and were grateful for the closure that came with the arrest. The community can finally find solace in knowing that justice is being served for Katrin Simpson, whose memory will now be honored with the truth coming to light.