The Murdered Marilyn Simons

The Murdered 
Marylin Simons
Suffolk County, New York

⚖️ Marilyn Simons: Cold Case Murder (1966) ⚖️

On April 24, 1966, 40 year old Marilyn Simons, a widow and mother of two adult children, was found murdered inside her car on a deserted road near the Bald Hills Ski Bowl in Farmingville, Suffolk County, New York. A hunter discovered her at approximately 7:00 a.m., about 1.5 miles south of her Selden home on South Bicycle Path. She was lying face-up across the front seat of her 1966 Ford Galaxie, partially disrobed below the waist, strangled with her garter belt, gagged with her underwear, and stabbed nine times in the chest, four wounds piercing her heart. Her dry cleaning and a crib she had purchased the previous afternoon for her pregnant teenage daughter Linda’s baby shower were found in the back seat, but her purse was missing. The medical examiner concluded there was no evidence of forcible penetrative rape, and reports described the cause of death as strangulation and multiple stab wounds.

The day before her death, Marilyn visited Linda in Selden, collected her dry cleaning, and drove to Patchogue to buy the crib. She returned home and was believed to have remained there until about 4:00 p.m. on April 23, after which she was neither seen nor heard from again. Police stated she likely traveled east on Oak Street in Patchogue to Route 112 and north via Old Medford Avenue toward her home. The medical examiner estimated her time of death occurred later that evening.

Decades later, the case has resurfaced amid renewed interest tied to imprisoned serial killer Richard Cottingham, who has been linked to numerous murders across New York and New Jersey. In 2022, Linda Greco began corresponding with Cottingham after he confessed to multiple Long Island killings. Although he has not formally confessed to Marilyn Simons’ murder, he has suggested he possesses information and stated he would disclose what he knows if granted immunity by the Suffolk County District Attorney. His declining health and cryptic apology to the family have intensified calls for answers. As of recent interviews with investigators, he has indicated willingness to discuss the case under formal conditions, though prosecutorial approval has not yet been granted.

Nearly six decades later, Marilyn Simons’ murder remains unsolved, and her family continues to seek truth and justice. 🕊️

Sources:

https://www.lishk.org/cases.htm
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/long-island/suffolk-county-da-tierney-serial-killer-cottingham-simons-murder/6328764/ https://www.facebook.com/peter.vronsky/photos/richard-cottingham-2025-cold-case-investigationcase-3-of-9-marilyn-simons-40-sat/10171343604745080/