Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde
Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde Sentenced in South Carolina for Multistate Murder Spree
By James Seidel | CC News | Crime & Cask Investigations
CHESTER, S.C. — A romantic duo whose violent trail of murder spanned three states has now been brought to justice. Dubbed a modern day Bonnie and Clyde, Tyler Terry and Adrienne Simpson pleaded guilty in Chester County court last week to two murders committed in South Carolina during their deadly May 2021 spree—and were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
But the full scope of their crimes stretches far beyond Chester and York Counties.
What began as two missing persons cases—Eugene Simpson in Chester County and Thomas Hardin in York County—quickly unraveled into a cross-country homicide investigation involving five murders, three states, and one of the largest manhunts in South Carolina history.
Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde The Disappearances That Started It All
In early May 2021, the Chester County Sheriff’s Office received a report that Eugene Simpson, 33, of Great Falls, had vanished. Simpson was a well-known community figure—a handyman, a father, and, until recently, the estranged husband of Adrienne Simpson.
Family members initially speculated that the pair had reunited and taken off together, perhaps seeking a new start. But concern turned to dread when Eugene failed to show up for a family cookout.
“I just thought Eugene was gone missing with Adrienne,” said Melissa Simpson, Eugene’s cousin-in-law. “But when he didn’t come back for the kids, we knew something had happened.”
Shortly after, York County deputies responded to a welfare check in Rock Hill. Inside the apartment of Thomas Hardin, 35, police discovered a gruesome scene—Hardin had been shot multiple times in the chest and neck. No signs of forced entry or robbery were found, leading investigators to suspect a personal motive.
Then came the break: a neighbor found Adrienne Simpson’s credit card in the parking lot. The investigation quickly linked the two cases—and focused attention on Simpson and her new boyfriend, Tyler Terry.
Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde The Manhunt and the Shootout
The next chapter played out like a scene from a movie.
Days later, Terry fired at a Chester County officer during a late-night traffic stop. With a bullet lodged in the officer’s windshield, the pursuit turned into a full-scale manhunt. More than 300 officers scoured the region for seven days, making it one of the largest law enforcement operations in recent South Carolina memory.
Simpson was arrested at the scene of the shootout, but Terry fled on foot and vanished into the woods. His escape left small towns on edge for a week until he was finally captured and placed into custody.
Once in custody, both suspects began to talk—and what they revealed shocked even seasoned investigators.
Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde A Multistate Trail of Murder
South Carolina authorities soon confirmed what other states were already uncovering: Terry and Simpson were responsible for five murders across three states during a 13-day rampage in May 2021.
In addition to the South Carolina killings of Eugene Simpson and Thomas Hardin, the couple also admitted to:
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Shooting and killing Sergei Zacharev during a robbery in Brentwood, Missouri, just outside of St. Louis.
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Murdering Barbara Goodkin in University City, Missouri, as she sat in a car with her husband. Her husband survived after the bullet struck his cellphone.
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Shooting Danterrio Coats in Memphis, Tennessee, during a robbery. His body was found near a vehicle with its hazard lights flashing.
As part of a coordinated agreement between prosecutors in South Carolina, Missouri, and Tennessee, the couple avoided the death penalty by pleading guilty to all five killings.
Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde ⚖️ Courtroom Closure—But No Redemption
During their sentencing hearing in Chester County, Terry, 27, remained silent, only responding to questions related to his plea. Simpson, 34, offered an emotional apology to the victims’ families and expressed remorse.
“I’m heartbroken over what happened,” she said. “If I could turn back time, I would.”
Her defense attorney described her as a woman shaped by years of abusive relationships. But prosecutors made clear that the choices she made led directly to the deaths of her estranged husband and others.
The pair will serve their life sentences in South Carolina, with additional transfers scheduled so they can plead guilty in Missouri and Tennessee, ensuring they face justice in every jurisdiction affected by their spree.
Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde What Comes Next
The story of Terry and Simpson is set to be featured in an upcoming episode of Snapped: Killer Couples on Peacock and the Oxygen App.
Meanwhile, residents of Chester, York, and beyond are left grappling with the legacy of a case that began with a few missing persons—and ended with a violent, coast-to-coast confession of South Carolina’s version of a modern day Bonnie and Clyde.
James Seidel | CC News | Crime & Cask
For tips, leads, or survivor stories connected to this case, contact jim@crimeandcask.com.
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