UPDATE: A 47-year-old woman has been convicted of first-degree murder in the shocking 2018 stabbing of a retired nurse at a mall in Rolling Hills Estates. In a verdict reached on December 4, 2023, jurors found Cherie Lynnette Townsend guilty for the brutal slaying of 66-year-old Susan Leeds, who was attacked and stabbed 17 times.
The jury delivered its decision after hours of deliberation, marking a significant moment in a case that has haunted the community for over five years. Prosecutors presented evidence showing Townsend’s desperate financial state, claiming she sought out a victim in the mall parking structure to fund her daughter’s cheerleading trip to Florida.
On the day of the murder, May 3, 2018, Leeds had just finished a workout class and was returning to her vehicle when she was ambushed. Townsend was captured on mall surveillance entering the parking structure shortly before 9:40 a.m. and was present when Leeds returned to her white SUV around 12:12 p.m.
Witnesses reported seeing Townsend’s gold Chevy Malibu leaving the scene hastily after the attack, cutting off another vehicle and running a red light. Automated license plate readers tracked her car’s movements, indicating she drove away from the mall but later returned, claiming she was looking for her missing cellphone.
The prosecution highlighted Townsend’s troubling online searches and text messages leading up to the crime. They revealed that she had been actively seeking money and even discussed obtaining a fake ID. In a note found on her phone, she expressed feeling “completely broken” and mentioned being $2,000 short for her daughter’s trip.
Despite the lack of direct evidence linking Townsend to the murder—such as DNA or eyewitness accounts—prosecutors argued her actions and digital footprint were compelling enough to establish motive and intent. The murder weapon remains undiscovered, and Townsend’s defense attorney pointed out that no incriminating evidence was found on her or in her vehicle.
Townsend, who faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life, is tentatively scheduled for sentencing on January 23, 2024. As this case evolves, the community grapples with the impact of this violent crime and the legal proceedings that followed.
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior as they continue to enhance security measures in local malls. The emotional toll of this case is palpable, as friends and family of Leeds reflect on the life lost in a senseless act of violence.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
