Fall River Man Held Without Bail in Car Wash Murder of New Bedford Woman

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — A Fall River man charged with the murder of a New Bedford woman earlier this year was arraigned this week in Fall River Superior Court and ordered held without bail.

According to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn, Angelo Leo, 33, was indicted by a grand jury on August 31 on charges of murder, carrying an illegal firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon, malicious damage to a motor vehicle, and two counts of violating an abuse prevention order.

The charges related to a May 29, 2023 incident in which Fall River Police responded to the Globe Car Wash on Broadway after receiving a 911 call at 12:36 p.m. regarding a potential shooting.

Upon arrival, first responders discovered the victim, Jessenia Simmons, 45, of New Bedford, already deceased in one of the car wash bays.

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Leo initially fled the scene in a vehicle but turned himself into police in Tiverton, Rhode Island about a half-hour later.

The D.A.’s Office said Leo was arraigned on the new indictments this morning and is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on October 24.