Woman killed in Fall River homicide remembered as caring, kind, and loving person

Family and friends are remembering a New Bedford woman who was killed on Monday.

According to Gregg Miliote of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Fall River Police responded to the Globe Car Wash on Broadway after receiving a 911 call just after 12:30 p.m. regarding a potential shooting.

When first responders arrived on scene, they found the victim, 45-year-old Jessenia Simmons of New Bedford, already deceased in one of the car wash bays.

The suspect, 33-year-old Angelo O. Leo, initially fled from the scene of the shooting in a vehicle but turned himself in to police in Tiverton, RI about a half-hour later.

A friend of Jessenia told us that she was a gem of a person and to know her was to love her.

“Jessie was a caring, kind and loving person. She always had a smile on her face every single time you saw her and was always so excited about life, she loved God and her kids like no other. She was so positive about life even when she was going through tough times.”

The friend also stated that Simmons had been romantically involved with Leo and had recently renewed a restraining order.

Jessenia had also been a part of a local softball team. The group expressed their condolences to the family.

Leo appeared in Newport County Court this morning. According to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn, Leo has waived rendition in Rhode Island and will be transported to Fall River District Court for arraignment on the Murder charge this afternoon.