Gregory Shinn: Man arrested for staging girlfriend's death as suicide after she was found hanging in garage

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

PINNELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA: A 48-year-old man was arrested after allegedly staging his girlfriend's death as a suicide by hanging. The victim, Katrin Simpson, 59, was found dead under distressing circumstances on February 20. 

After a thorough investigation, which included questioning neighbors and scrutinizing the defendant Gregory Shinn's statement, law enforcement detained him. Shinn faces a first-degree murder charge and is presently held without bond at Pinellas County Jail, as reported by Law&Crime.

Katrin Simpson found dead in gruesome crime

Police arrived at the residence of the victim at the 3700 block of Whiting Drive, where she was discovered hanging by a black wire fastened to a wooden beam in the garage. Authorities promptly removed Simpson from the wire, but despite life-saving efforts, she was declared deceased. Law enforcement officers observed bruising on her face and blood around her nose and mouth. 

The medical examiner informed detectives that Simpson's injuries were inconsistent with those typically associated with suicide, citing brain hemorrhaging and rib fractures among them. Subsequently, investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence, where they discovered spools of electrical wire, cameras, and a fitted sheet with traces of blood.

Gregory Shinn stages girlfriend Katrin Simpson's suicide

After the discovery, detectives interviewed Shinn, during which he suggested that Simpson's facial injuries might have occurred while she was using a sledgehammer earlier that day for home renovations. 

Shinn reiterated to detectives that he had spent the day of Simpson's death renovating the bedroom and bathroom. According to the affidavit, he mentioned that Simpson had spent most of her day in the garage, engrossed in her art projects. 

He claimed she had assisted him for a while before returning to the garage. Shinn alleged that approximately 30 to 45 minutes later, he went to check on her and discovered her body. He insisted he had not tampered with the wire she was hanging from but had unsuccessfully attempted to lower her before seeking assistance.

He denied any altercation with the victim on the night of her death. 

In a third interview a couple of days later, Shinn attempted to account for his girlfriend's additional injuries. He asserted that earlier in the day of her death, he had observed Simpson appearing drowsy, prompting him to administer two doses of Narcan. 

Later, he claimed, Simpson began insulting him, leading him to forcefully pull her off the bed by her ankles, causing her to strike her head on the floor. He then purportedly dragged her down the hallway by her ankles, but his knee gave way, resulting in him falling onto her with his full weight.

Katrin Simpson's neighbors report Gregory Shinn horrific abuse

During an interview with detectives on February 21, a neighbor disclosed that Simpson had confided in her previously, stating that if she were to meet an untimely demise, "Shinn did it."

Additionally, the neighbor recounted an incident on January 15, when Simpson visited her residence and alleged that Shinn had restrained her with duct tape around her mouth and eyes and strangled her with an extension cord.

Police informed that Shinn had been arrested twice before on charges of domestic violence against Simpson, once in 2021 and again in 2022.

Investigators find Gergory Shinn's DNA on the wire 

After the interview, investigators subsequently discovered that Shinn's DNA was present on the wire fastened to the beam, despite his assertion that he never came into contact with it. 

On March 21, Shinn contacted detectives from the hospital, admitting to attempting suicide due to feeling "guilty" about his interactions with Simpson "that night." 

The medical examiner determined that Simpson's death was a homicide, caused by strangulation with additional factors of blunt force trauma and multi-drug toxicity. This determination led to the arrest of Shinn

Following the arrest, One friend of Simpson, Johanna Monighan, remarked, "We have been waiting for this for so long, It almost seemed unreal." 

Stacey McKnight, who had known Simpson for over two decades, stated, "Our neighbors are so happy, They can finally rest in peace and Katrin can now, her soul can rest in peace."