Lisa Martin-Simeri

Sad news spreads over Simeri double homicide

April 18, 2010

The autopsy results from a New Carlisle couple found dead at their home this weekend indicate a homicide-suicide.

That's the word from St. Joseph County coroner Charles Hurley.

Police found Lisa Simeri shot to death Saturday in the front yard of their house in the 55000 block of Nature View Drive. On Monday officials ruled her death a homicide.

Police found Lisa's husband Nick Simeri inside the home with a gunshot wound to the head. Hurley told FOX 28 the evidence indicates the wound was self-inflicted. Nick was the owner of Simeri's Old Town Tap, on South Bend's west side. That bar is closed until further notice.

---------------------------------

Previously posted on FOX28.com

The Simeris were well known in Michiana. Their death was shocking news to people who knew them and those who live nearby the Simeri's Old Town Tap. It seems as if everyone is still trying to piece together what exactly happened Saturday evening. Many woke up Sunday morning confused, surprised, and saddened.

"I walk the blocks and I always go by there," said neighbor Ferneshia Guiden.

But on Saturday night and Sunday South Bend's Ferneshia Guiden saw a strange sight. Simeri's Old Town Tap is closed indefinitely pending investigation.

"It's a shocker to be honest," said neighbor Delshaune Cotton.

Saturday evening police found 50-year-old Nicholas Simeri and his wife 49-year-old Lisa Martin-Simeri both shot to death in their New Carlisle home. Nicholas owned this bar on South Bend's west side.

"You would never think anything like that would take place," said Ferneshia.

Guiden and her nephew Delshaune Cotton both live just blocks away from the bar. A place that Cotton says was very popular.

"It's packed I see a lot of people at the door," said Cotton.

Instead of long lines, the bar is now empty. But those who knew the Simeri's won't let the family suffer alone. One person left flowers and a handwritten note to the family on the bar's front steps. The Simeri's Facebook page was filled with comments of disbelief and sadness from people who knew the couple or those who hung out in the bar. As the news travels, so does the sorrow.

"It's quiet around here you don't have anything out of the ordinary around here," said Guiden.

Now, Guiden says the community will be missing a key element.

"Actually, it's part of the neighborhood," said Guiden.

A neighborhood left asking many questions, hoping police will be able to find the answers.

"Hopefully they'll get to the bottom of it and see what happened," said Cotton.

Police stress Sunday night that this is being treated as a double homicide and not as a murder-suicide because the investigation is still ongoing. The autopsy results on the couples's bodies are slated to be completed Monday.

Obituary:

Lisa Jane Martin-Simeri, 49, of New Carlisle, IN, passed away on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at her home. Lisa was born on August 22, 1960 in Louisville, KY to Jim and Vera Taylor-Skaggs. She moved to South Bend in 1984 and had lived in New Carlisle since 2002. Lisa was the Director of Operations for RLC of Michiana (Taco Bell). Survivors include her parents Jim and Vera Skaggs of Louisville, KY; four sons, Tim Martin, Daniel Martin, and Kyle Martin all of South Bend, IN and Jordan Martin of New Carlisle, IN; four sisters, Debbie (Angie) Skaggs, Terri (Doug) Uhling, Julie (Tim) Dalton, and Kim (Steve) Hardin all of Louisville, KY; and one brother, Jimmy (Deborah) Skaggs of Louisville, KY. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, April 22, 2010 in the New Carlisle Wesleyan Church. Friends may call from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Wednesday in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 201 S. Filbert Street, New Carlisle, IN. Friends may also call from 1 until 2 p.m. Thursday in the New Carlisle Wesleyan Church. Lisa was a member of the Granger Community Church. She was a volunteer at the Center for the Homeless in South Bend and the St. Joseph County Fair. She enjoyed landscaping and gardening. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Martin Family Children, c/o Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN 46628. To send online condolences, please visit Kaniewski.com. The family would like to ask everyone to either bring purple flowers, wear purple, etc. in honor of Lisa Martin.