Family spotlights cold case

    Family members of murder victim Robert Lee Simmons Jr. were in Toccoa over the weekend distributing flyers and asking anyone with information to come forward.
    According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), 10 years ago the Toccoa Police Department received a call for assistance after Simmons' family members found him unresponsive at his Glendale Apartment Complex residence.
    The GBI stated in a report that Simmons death was "determined to be a homicide after an autopsy by GBI's Medical Examiner's Office.
    Simmons' sister, Katina Aaron, and daughter, Ebony Tyree, enlisted the aid of New Order National Human Rights Organization to help with spotlighting the cold case murder.
    New Order founder Gerald Rose was in Toccoa Friday and Saturday along with Aaron and Tyree.
    "We want to make sure when we get involved that we (base on) facts," Rose said.
    Rose said he thought the family's rights to find justice for Simmons' death were violated.
    "We don't want the community to be silent," Rose said. "Someone needs to come forward."
    Tyree said that someone in the area must have information about the Simmons homicide.
    "There are a lot of people that know what happened," Tyree said. "Something's got to give."
    Rose said the Simmons family met with the GBI Friday morning.
    "We did get some good news," Rose said. "They're looking at three suspects right now."
    Bs’ body was found in his Glendale apartment on March 1, 2011.
    He was 46.ut Rose said there remains a "long way to go" in the investigation.
    Simmon
    GBI reported that a reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for Simmons' death.
    Anyone with information about the case should contact GBI Special Agent Shilo Crane at 706-348-4866 or the Toccoa Police Department at 706-282-3277.
    Simmons' cause of death has not been made public.