A man has been charged by Atlanta police for hiding a death and tampering with evidence.
Steven Simmons, 57, is facing charges related to the death of a 57-year-old woman. The arrest warrants for Simmons named the victim as Tina Hatchet.
At approximately 1:21 a.m. on Saturday, officers arrived at Perkerson Park and discovered Hatchet unresponsive. Emergency responders confirmed her passing at the location.
The cause of death will be disclosed by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office following the completion of an autopsy.
Warrants reveal that Simmons informed investigators he picked up Hatchet close to the West End Mall, and she lost consciousness immediately upon entering his SUV.
Subsequently, he made his way to Perkerson Park, where, as stated in the warrants, he disposed of her body in the park.
Authorities reported that Simmons confessed to traveling to Emory University, where he disposed of Hatchet’s clothing and other belongings in the dumpsters.
“He admitted to having an active cellphone on his person but failed to call 911 because he panic(ked). He stated he was going to call 911 once he got home,” the warrants stated.
Simmons was taken into custody by police on Saturday. Records from the Fulton County jail indicate that he secured his bond on Tuesday.
