‘Dateline NBC’: Who killed Susan Sills? Mother of twins was killed after posting topless photo as part of an online bet
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a tragic and mysterious case that captivated public attention, Susann Sills was killed by her husband, Eric Scott Sills. The story of Susann Sills unfolds as a tale of love, betrayal, and a shocking twist of fate.
Susan, a 45-year-old mother of two, found herself embroiled in a series of events that would ultimately lead to her untimely death. It all began with a seemingly innocuous bet made in a chat room where participants discussed politics. Susan confidently wagered that Donald Trump would not secure the Republican nomination for president in the 2016 election.
However, when Trump indeed clinched the nomination, Susan found herself facing the consequences of her bet: posting a topless photo of herself online. This provocative act set off a chain of events that culminated in Susan's tragic death. Just days after Trump's unexpected victory, Susan was discovered lifeless at the bottom of the stairs of her mansion.
Initially deemed an accident, further investigation revealed a far more sinister truth: Susan had been strangled to death. As Dateline NBC delves deeper into the case, they uncover a complex web of secrets and deceit lurking beneath the surface of Susan's seemingly idyllic life.
Who was Susann Sills?
Susann Sills, a 45-year-old woman, tragically lost her life in a deeply disturbing incident. She was a mother of twins and a co-founder of the Center for Advanced Genetics, a fertility clinic in Carlsbad, California. Originally from Philadelphia, Susann was a graduate of South Fork High School in Florida and later attended George Mason University. She earned her MBA in International Studies from the University of Miami in 2000.
Described as a vibrant and accomplished individual, Susann's life was cut short in November 2016 when she was found dead in her home. Initially reported as a fall down the stairs by her husband, Eric Scott Sills, the circumstances surrounding her death soon unraveled into a chilling murder case.
Throughout her life, Susann was deeply involved in her professional endeavors, working alongside her husband at their fertility clinic. However, beneath the surface of her seemingly successful life, there were indications of turmoil within her marriage.
Was Susann Sills leaving Eric Scott Sills?
There's no explicit evidence suggesting that Susann Sills was planning to leave Eric Scott Sills, but there were signs of strain in their relationship. The couple had been married for seven years and struggled with fertility issues before eventually having twins. Despite the joy of becoming parents, their personal life seemed to be fraught with difficulties.
Text messages exchanged between Susann and Eric hinted at underlying tensions. Susann expressed feelings of being trapped and suffocated within their relationship. In one text, she lamented, "I will never be free, ever. You are killing me, don’t you see? ... I just want out." These messages suggest that Susann was feeling overwhelmed and possibly considering leaving the marriage.
(Facebook/@Susan Sills)
Why did Susann Sills post a topless picture?
In a chat room she had set up among politically-minded individuals, Susann Sills made a bet regarding Donald Trump's presidential nomination. She wagered that Trump wouldn't secure the Republican nomination in the 2016 election. However, when Trump did win the nomination, Susann found herself in a difficult position as per the terms of her bet.
To uphold her end of the wager, she posted nude pictures of herself online. This decision stemmed from her confidence that Trump wouldn't win, but when he did, she felt obligated to follow through with her promise, despite the potentially controversial nature of her actions.
How did Susann Sills die?
Susann Sills was found dead at the bottom of the stairs in her home. Initially, her husband, Eric Scott Sills, claimed that he discovered her body after she fell down the stairs. However, upon further examination, it was determined that Susann died due to strangulation, not from a fall.
Pathologists conducting the autopsy found injuries inconsistent with a simple fall down the stairs, such as blood stains on a wall and curtains in their daughter's bedroom, where Susann had been sleeping.
Additionally, a clump of hair was found, further suggesting foul play. As a result of these findings, the Orange County Coroner ruled her death a homicide. Following an extensive investigation by detectives and the district attorney’s office, Eric Scott Sills was eventually found guilty of her murder.
When was Eric Scott Sills proven guilty?
Eric Scott Sills was found guilty of his wife Susann Sills' murder in December 2019. The trial unfolded in an Orange County courtroom in Santa Ana, California. Throughout the proceedings, evidence was presented to support the prosecution's case that Eric Scott Sills had strangled his wife to death.
This evidence included findings from the autopsy, which indicated that Susann had died from strangulation, as well as blood stains found in the couple's home that were inconsistent with Eric's initial explanation of her death. After deliberation, the jury found Eric Scott Sills guilty of one count of second-degree murder. As a result, he was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
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