The Saga of Murderer Simich Jr

Googled up on the Simich Jr's murder of a Deaf couple to check up on any updates and now they're saying he had a history of mental problems and drug abuse.

DeLuca said that when Simich's father was asked why his son shot the Bergmans, a bewildered Simich indicated he didn't know why.

Piccinini said as far as police could determine, officers reported to one minor domestic disturbance at the house several years ago, but did not have additional information on the incident.

Simich Jr. has only one criminal case in Beaver County. In 1994, he pleaded guilty in a case involving the illegal sale of a prescription drug. The details of that case, and Simich's sentence, were not available Tuesday.

Siget said that Simich told police he was a custodian at an area car dealership and had graduated from a Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (Corrected by a reader on where Simich graduated from - see Alumni page).

Simich's cousin Rich, 38, of Monaca said that the whole family was still in shock Tuesday. Hudock said that while he knew Simich was taking medication to treat mental illness, he hadn't shown any signs of aggression in the past.

Police believe Simich Jr was upset when his sister suggested that he should move out of their parents' house. But

(Sgt. DeLuca) police said that all indications were that no matter where the Simiches would have moved, they had always planned to take their son with them, DeLuca said.

"He loved that spot," DeLuca said, "and he obviously didn't want to
leave."

Does Simich Jr fit this description of mental illness by anti-capital punishment groups? For more information on different types of mental illness check out the website of the National Alliance on Mental Illness organization. We'll know more exactly what kind of "mental illness" Simich Jr has while this saga continues to unfold.