Bio

Michael Anthony Simmons was born on April 26, 1965. He grew up in Charleston, South Carolina. During his childhood, he faced several challenges. According to people who knew him, Simmons was often involved in trouble and was considered a loner. He had a difficult upbringing that included a troubled family background. His father had a history of mental illness, which may have affected Simmons’ own mental health.

As a teenager, Simmons faced various issues. He was known for his short temper and violent behavior. At one point, he stole a go-kart and had a serious accident that left him with a permanent limp. This accident caused him to be confined in a body cast for over a year. He was also arrested multiple times for violent offenses, including assault. In 1987, he and an accomplice attacked and robbed a disabled cab driver, an act that led to his conviction.

Simmons was diagnosed with mild mental retardation and reported experiencing hallucinations and hearing voices. He was sent to a state hospital for treatment after a suicide attempt following his arrest for the robbery. After spending time in prison, he resumed his relationship with Detra Rainey, whom he had known since childhood. They were married in September 2005 after a brief engagement.

After Simmons' release from prison, he seemed to attempt to live a stable life with Rainey and her children. However, his past and mental health struggles affected him. Throughout their first year of marriage, there were no reported issues, and Simmons followed the conditions of his parole.

Murder Story

On September 30, 2006, Michael Anthony Simmons shot and killed his wife, Detra Rainey, who was 39 years old, and her four children: William Lee Rainey, 16; Hakiem Rainey, 13; Malachi Robinson, 8; and Samenia Robinson, 6. The murders occurred in their mobile home in North Charleston, South Carolina, between 3:00 AM and 5:45 AM.

After the shootings, Simmons remained at the scene for several hours. Neighbors reported seeing him sitting on the porch, appearing fidgety. The police found the victims shortly after a woman entered the home, saw the bodies, and called 911.

Simmons was arrested on the same day. When police interviewed him, they noted that he initially appeared coherent and able to describe the events surrounding the murders. However, his mental state worsened in the months that followed, leading to a diagnosis of dementia.

On June 20, 2008, a judge ruled that Simmons was mentally unfit to stand trial, causing frustration among the victims' family members. They believed he was pretending to be mentally ill to avoid facing justice for his actions.

Simmons was diagnosed with mental retardation and had a history of violent behavior. He had been arrested several times before and was sentenced to prison for other crimes. Ultimately, he was confined indefinitely to a mental hospital after the court's ruling.