“The Puzzling Death of Susann Sills”: 48 Hours Reports March 22 2025

This Saturday, March 22, 2025, CBS’s 48 Hours presents “The Puzzling Death of Susann Sills,” a detailed report on the 2016 death of a mother, entrepreneur, and wife of a prominent fertility doctor. The episode, reported by Tracy Smith, investigates what initially appeared to be a tragic accident in a Southern California home but evolved into a homicide case that would take years to reach resolution.

Susann Sills, a smart and driven businesswoman who co-ran a fertility clinic with her husband, Dr. Eric Scott Sills, was found dead at the base of a staircase on November 13, 2016. Dr. Sills told authorities she had fallen during the night, possibly due to a migraine. But after years of investigation, conflicting forensic evidence, and evolving theories, a jury found Dr. Sills guilty of murder. The 48 Hours episode explores the twists and unanswered questions of a case that shocked even Susann’s closest friends and family.

The Morning of November 13, 2016: An Unexpected Discovery

Dr. Eric Scott Sills called 911 from his San Clemente home and told the dispatcher he had found his wife, Susann, cold and lifeless at the bottom of the stairs. Emergency responders pronounced her dead shortly after arriving. According to Sills, Susann had been suffering from migraines and may have gotten up during the night, only to fall fatally.

At first glance, it appeared to be a tragic domestic accident. Susann’s family and friends, while shocked, accepted this version of events. Her mother, Theresa Neubauer, later recalled believing that her daughter’s death had been a result of an unfortunate mishap, never suspecting that a criminal investigation might be underway.

Early Red Flags in the Investigation

Initial impressions began to unravel when homicide detectives Eric Hatch and Dave Holloway examined the scene and Susann’s injuries. Her body bore extensive bruising—on her face, back, arms, and legs. More concerning was a pronounced ligature mark across her neck, inconsistent with a typical fall. Investigators also noted a red and white scarf that had been around her neck. Her daughter, Mary Katherine, said she removed it when she tried to help her mother breathe.

Detectives found bloodstains in the bedroom where Susann had spent the night—on the curtains, walls, and nightstand. DNA tests later confirmed both Susann’s and Dr. Sills’ blood in that room. A smudge on the wall contained a mix of both, raising the possibility of a violent struggle. The physical evidence cast doubt on the narrative of an accidental fall.

A Marriage Under Strain: The Topless Photo and Troubling Texts

As investigators dug deeper into the Sills’ personal lives, they uncovered signs of marital discord. A controversial topless photo of Susann had been posted on a political forum after she jokingly promised to do so if Donald Trump won the Republican nomination. Friends said the photo caused strain in the marriage. A printed version of an online exchange about the image was found in Dr. Sills’ home office, suggesting the matter had lingered.

Text messages recovered from Susann’s phone painted a troubling picture. In the months leading up to her death, she had sent messages expressing desperation and entrapment, writing things like, “You are killing me,” and “I just want out.” These communications became critical in understanding the state of her relationship with Dr. Sills and possibly his motive.

The Turning Point: Autopsy and Forensic Analysis

It took nearly a year for the coroner to officially rule on Susann Sills’ cause of death. In November 2017, the office declared it was a homicide caused by ligature strangulation. This conclusion transformed the case from a suspicious death to a criminal investigation.

Further forensic tests supported suspicions. The blood on a shirt Dr. Sills wore was identified as Susann’s, despite his claim it was chocolate milk. Her blood was also found under his fingernails. Meanwhile, the toxicology report showed only a low amount of pain medication in her system—not enough to affect her balance or coordination. For investigators, the evidence now suggested an attempt to stage the scene and mislead authorities.

An Unusual Defense: The Dogs Did It

When the case reached court in 2023, defense attorney Jack Earley challenged the prosecution’s evidence. He suggested that the family dogs might have pulled on Susann’s scarf after a fall, inadvertently causing her death. He also argued that a cervical spine fracture—possibly from the fall—was the real cause. The defense maintained that the ligature marks could have been post-mortem and the photo had little to do with Susann’s death.

However, the prosecution argued that the injuries, the evidence of struggle in the bedroom, and the presence of both blood types on the wall indicated that a violent altercation had taken place before Susann died. Prosecutors asserted that Dr. Sills staged the scene by placing her body on the staircase after strangling her in the bedroom.

A Delayed Arrest and the Final Verdict

Despite the mounting evidence, Dr. Sills continued to live in the same house and raise the couple’s children after Susann’s death. For more than two years, life appeared to continue as normal while authorities waited for forensic confirmation and compiled their case. In April 2019, undercover deputies arrested Dr. Sills while he was on his way to perform surgery.

The trial, delayed in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, began in 2023. Jurors heard testimony from friends, law enforcement, forensic experts, and family members. The evidence of a staged scene and physical struggle proved compelling. In March 2024, the jury convicted Dr. Sills of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

A Family’s Loss and Lingering Questions

The outcome of the trial brought a degree of closure, but not peace. For Susann’s mother, the conviction was bittersweet. The truth had taken years to uncover, and the family had been unaware of the full extent of the investigation until Sills’ arrest. She recalled trusting him implicitly and being blindsided by the news that he had become the primary suspect.

Susann Sills is remembered as a vibrant, capable woman—a devoted mother, a sharp business mind, and someone with a strong voice and sense of humor. Her friends and family continue to mourn her loss, haunted by the image of a loving mother whose life was cut short in her own home.

Watch the Full Investigation on CBS

48 Hours: The Puzzling Death of Susann Sills airs Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 10:00 PM ET/PT on CBS. The full episode will also be available to stream the next day on Paramount+. The report offers a compelling look into a case where the line between accident and homicide blurred—and where the truth took years to emerge.