Jeffrey Simmons

Jeffrey Simmons was a respected community leader, a loving father and husband, and a man of immense strength. The 57-year-old White man from Vero Beach, Florida, was a Sergeant Major in the National Guard who had survived three deployments, a 6th degree black belt, and a cancer survivor. Those who worked with him at the Vista Royale golf community, where he was a manager, remembered him as a kind and supportive person who made sure everyone was okay.

On the evening of February 19, 2024, Simmons and his live-in girlfriend, Donna Smith, 49, were involved in an argument at their shared apartment in the Vista Royale complex. A neighbor reported hearing a verbal commotion and the banging of objects around 5:30 p.m. Following the disturbance, Simmons left the residence in his golf cart. According to the sheriff’s office, Smith then got into her car and followed him to the American Golf Club office, where both of them worked. Investigators stated that Smith arrived at the office and waited for Simmons.

At approximately 6:43 p.m., Smith called 911 and told the dispatcher, "I just shot my boyfriend." She stated that he was dead after being shot once in the head. When Indian River County deputies arrived at the office on Woodland Drive, they found Smith outside and Simmons’ body inside a locker room area with a head wound. Investigators determined that two shots had been fired from Smith’s .9mm Ruger pistol, which she had left on a desk. One bullet struck Simmons, and the other hit a wall. No weapons were found on or near his body.

During the 911 call, Smith claimed Simmons had hit and choked her and that she had fled to her office to escape him, but he followed her in with a key. However, investigators found her statements were inconsistent with the evidence at the scene. The sheriff noted there were no signs of a struggle at either the couple’s apartment or the office. Authorities described the relationship as "tumultuous" and concluded that Smith had pursued Simmons to the office.

Donna Smith was arrested at the scene and charged with second-degree murder. She was initially held in the Indian River County Jail without bond. Subsequently, an Indian River County judge dropped the murder charge against her. As of that development, the case remains unsolved.