Guilford County, NC -- Lori Hudson is still coming to grips with the news that her best friend's husband is charged with first degree murder in his wife's death.
"I can't imagine my life without her," said Hudson.
Hudson said she and Retha Simpson were close friends since they met eight years ago.
Hudson reflected on her relationship with her friend as she looked at pictures from her own wedding, in which Retha was her maid of honor.
"She was just carefree, we had a lot of fun."
Now, Hudson only has pictures and memories.
A statment from the Guilford County Sheriff's Office said evidence links a body found in a wooded area in Greensboro on Wednesday to Retha.
Her husband, Winfred Scott Simpson, is charged with first degree murder.
"I thought they would always be together. They were different people, but together, they worked, or so it seemed," said Hudson.
According to a search warrant, Simpson reported his wife missing on Tuesday, March 23. He said his wife disappeared four days earlier after he said Retha admitted to an affair and the couple had a fight.
Hudson said the couple had problems for the past six months, but would not go into detail. "There were some things that had happened that she was very upset about."
The warrant states investigators went to the Simpson home after the body was found and heard Winfred Simpson vacuuming inside.
It also states detectives saw a red substance on Winfred Simpson's truck, a barrel that appeared to be used to burn things, and a box for a carpet shampooer, which Winfred Simpson said was new.
The warrant shows investigators arrested Simpson Thursday night at a Greensboro hotel after he called 911 threatening to kill himself.
Friday, he made his first court appearance via video from jail.
"He was always very quiet, always very passive," Hudson said about her best friend's husband. "The complete and total opposite of her."
Hudson and her family are now watching Retha's dog, Misty, and keeping her in good hands.
They're also doing what they can to help Retha's memory live on. Hudson made a memorial wreath and along with her husband and son, placed it on the Simpsons' doorstep Friday evening.
"She was loved and she will be missed," said Hudson.