The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department announced early Monday morning that detectives have arrested a 19-year-old woman and a 17-year-old female juvenile in connection with the April 15 incident at Hendry’s Beach that left a man dead.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, 44-year-old Robert Burke Simpson was stabbed in the neck by an unidentified male on the grassy area near the county beach’s parking lot, close to the Boathouse restaurant. According to officials, 200-300 beachgoers and restaurant patrons had gathered at the scene by the time emergency crews arrived, and authorities have been working with eyewitnesses to generate leads. One witness said the suspect drove off with a couple of women in a white Nissan Altima, though that report is unconfirmed.
Detectives had gathered enough information to arrest 19-year-old Brittany Danielle Weiler on Friday for accessory to murder, said Sheriff’s spokesperson Drew Sugars in a press release. On Saturday, detectives also arrested a 17-year-old female juvenile on the same charge. Weiler is currently being held at the county jail on $1 million bail, and the juvenile was taken to Juvenile Hall. Sugars also stated that additional information led to a search warrant being served at a Santa Barbara residence Sunday evening. Calls to Sugars requesting additional information have yet to be returned.
Weiler describes herself on her Myspace page as “a Dedicated Stoner Marijuana Patient” and says “I avoid Drama if i could make a career outta smokkin Dank i honestly would! No regrets.” She lists her occupation as “Drug Dealler.”
In the press release, Sugars also said that detectives “have worked virtually around the clock to apprehend the person/persons responsible for the victim’s death and those who may have helped keep the suspect(s) from being arrested.” Authorities continue to ask the public for help in identifying the stabbing subject, who remains on the lam. Anyone with footage, photographs, or information should call (805) 681-4150, and those wishing to leave anonymous tips can call (805) 681-4171.