Two Missouri men have been charged after investigators discovered the burned remains of a missing Kansas City woman in and around a burn pit on a rural property, where authorities say human bones were found scattered among debris.
Damon Thomason, 54, and Felix Watson, 30, are each charged with abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence in connection with the disappearance of 41-year-old Amber Simpson.
Although investigators believe Simpson was killed before her body was burned, no homicide charges have been filed, and authorities have not yet released her official cause or manner of death.
Woman Disappeared in May
According to investigators, Simpson was last seen in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 10.
She was officially reported missing on June 3, but probable cause affidavits indicate detectives believe she had already died before the missing person report was filed.
Authorities suspect that Simpson’s body was burned on May 28 at Thomason’s property in Nelson, Missouri, a rural community in Saline County located about 90 miles east of Kansas City.
Search Warrant Led Detectives to Burn Pit
Investigators executed a search warrant at the property on June 18.
According to court documents, detectives followed tire tracks that led them to a burn pit containing what initially appeared to be chicken bones.
While examining the area, investigators found what they identified as a human femur lying beside the fire pit.
Police also recovered an identification bracelet belonging to Felix Watson from a recent hospital stay. According to investigators, the bracelet was located near the human remains.
Cadaver Dog Located Additional Human Bones
Authorities brought a cadaver dog to assist with the search.
The dog alerted investigators to additional human remains in and around the burn pit.
A forensic anthropologist was then called to the scene and recovered numerous bones that were determined to be human.
According to investigators, the anthropologist concluded that the condition of the remains suggested they had been exposed either to one prolonged fire or to multiple fires over an extended period.
The severe heat damage made recovery and identification more difficult.
DNA Confirms Identity of Victim
The recovered bones were submitted to the Kansas City Police Crime Lab for forensic testing.
Investigators extracted DNA from one of the bones, and last week authorities confirmed that the remains belonged to Amber Simpson.
Investigators Believe Simpson Was Already Dead
Although police have not publicly explained how Simpson died, arrest affidavits suggest investigators believe she was killed before her body was burned.
Despite those suspicions, prosecutors have not filed homicide charges against anyone connected to the case.
The investigation into Simpson’s death remains ongoing.
Watson Denied Involvement
During questioning, Watson allegedly told investigators that a man and two women arrived at the property with Simpson.
According to police, Watson claimed he did not know why they were there and said the group went behind the house toward the burn pit without him.
When detectives confronted him about his hospital identification bracelet being found near the human remains, Watson allegedly suggested it may have been thrown away with trash that was later burned.
After that exchange, Watson ended the interview and requested an attorney.
Thomason Gave Conflicting Statements
According to investigators, Thomason initially claimed he did not know what had been burned on his property.
He later told detectives that Watson informed him several days afterward that “another girl had killed” Simpson.
When investigators said they believed Simpson had actually been killed on his property, Thomason reportedly became visibly upset.
According to the arrest affidavit, he responded by saying, “The most I figured was they brought her there.”
Property Owner Admitted Seeing Large Bone
Investigators said Thomason eventually acknowledged seeing what appeared to be a large leg bone in the burn pit.
According to police, he told detectives:
“I don’t know, it was a bigger bone than I wanted to see.”
Thomason also allegedly told investigators that Watson burned items in the pit over several days.
He claimed he instructed Watson to clean up whatever had been left there, telling him to “go down there and clean that s— up, whatever it was,” according to the affidavit.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Both Watson and Thomason were arrested on June 18 and have remained in the Saline County Jail since their arrests.
They are each charged with:
- Abuse of a corpse.
- Tampering with physical evidence.
Their next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday.
The investigation into Amber Simpson’s death remains active, and authorities have not ruled out additional criminal charges. Thomason and Watson are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
