Saline County, Missouri — A rural burn pit investigation in central Missouri has led to the arrest of two men after authorities discovered human remains that were later identified as 41-year-old Amber Simpson, a Kansas City woman who had been reported missing earlier this year.
While prosecutors have filed charges related to the handling of Simpson’s remains, investigators say the circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation, and no one has been charged with homicide.
Search Warrant Led Detectives to Burn Pit
According to court documents, Amber Simpson was last seen on May 10 in Kansas City and was officially reported missing on June 3.
Investigators later obtained a search warrant for property in rural Nelson, Saline County, located about 90 miles east of Kansas City.
While searching the property on June 18, detectives reportedly followed tire tracks leading to a burn pit.
Initially, officers observed what appeared to be chicken bones, but nearby they discovered a human femur, prompting a more extensive search.
Authorities also recovered an identification bracelet belonging to Felix Watson that investigators said had been left near the burn pit after a recent hospital stay.
Cadaver Dog and Forensic Team Uncovered More Human Remains
After the initial discovery, investigators deployed a cadaver dog, which alerted officers to additional evidence around the burn pit. A forensic anthropologist later recovered numerous human bones from in and around the fire pit, according to court records.
Investigators stated the expert concluded the remains had experienced severe thermal damage, suggesting either one prolonged fire or multiple fires over an extended period.
The Kansas City Police Crime Lab later extracted DNA from one of the recovered bones.
Authorities confirmed the DNA matched Amber Simpson, officially identifying the remains.
Two Men Charged With Abuse of a Corpse
Following the investigation, authorities arrested Damon Thomason, 54, and Felix Watson, 30. Both men have been charged with abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence.
At this stage, no murder charges have been filed, and investigators have not publicly disclosed Simpson’s cause or manner of death.
The criminal investigation remains ongoing.
Suspects Gave Conflicting Statements
According to arrest affidavits, Watson told investigators that a man and two women arrived at the property with Simpson, but claimed he did not know why they were there.
When detectives questioned him about his hospital identification bracelet allegedly found near the human remains, Watson reportedly suggested it may have been burned with other trash before ending the interview and requesting an attorney.
Investigators said Thomason initially claimed he did not know what had been burned on his property. Later, according to court documents, he allegedly acknowledged seeing what appeared to be a large leg bone in the burn pit.
He reportedly told investigators:
“I don’t know, it was a bigger bone than I wanted to see.”
Thomason also allegedly stated that Watson had been burning materials in the pit over several days and claimed he instructed him to clean up whatever was there.
Investigation Into Amber Simpson’s Death Continues
Authorities believe Simpson had already died before she was officially reported missing, but investigators have not released details explaining how she died or who may have been responsible.
Both Thomason and Watson have remained in the Saline County Jail since their arrests and are scheduled to return to court as the investigation moves forward.
Officials have indicated that additional charges remain possible as detectives continue examining the evidence surrounding Simpson’s death.
What are your thoughts on this investigation? Do you believe evidence-tampering cases should carry harsher penalties when they involve human remains? Share your opinion respectfully in the comments below.
