UPDATE: A jury has just convicted Cherie Lynnette Townsend, aged 47, of first-degree murder in the brutal stabbing death of retired nurse Susan Leeds at the Promenade on the Peninsula mall in Rolling Hills Estates, California. The verdict came after intense deliberations, concluding on December 4, 2023, more than seven years after the horrific crime took place on May 3, 2018.
Leeds, a 66-year-old from Rancho Palos Verdes, was stabbed 17 times and had her throat slashed in what prosecutors called a desperate act by Townsend, motivated by financial struggles. Evidence presented at the trial revealed that Townsend had made extensive Google searches prior to the attack, including inquiries about the mall and an Equinox gym. Prosecutors argued that Townsend sought a vulnerable victim to fund her daughter’s upcoming cheer competition in Florida.
During the trial, it was highlighted that Townsend had expressed feelings of desperation in a note found on her phone, stating, “In this moment, I am completely broken,” as she faced a $2,000 shortfall for travel expenses. As the day unfolded, Leeds attended a workout class before shopping and ordering food, unaware of the lurking danger.
Surveillance footage captured Townsend’s vehicle, a gold Chevy Malibu, entering the mall’s parking structure shortly before 9:40 AM. Just after noon, as Leeds returned to her SUV around 12:12 PM, Townsend attacked her from behind. Witnesses reported seeing the Malibu speeding away shortly after the assault.
Despite no direct evidence such as DNA or fingerprints linking Townsend to the scene, prosecutors presented a timeline of her movements and digital footprints, including text messages discussing acquiring a fake ID. The defense claimed that law enforcement focused solely on Townsend and did not investigate other leads.
Townsend was initially arrested on May 17, 2018, but was released pending further investigation. She was re-arrested in August 2023 after detectives continued to piece together the case. As the trial progressed, it became evident that Townsend’s story changed multiple times, with no corroborating video evidence of her claims that she entered the mall.
The murder weapon remains undiscovered, and while Townsend maintains her innocence, she faces a potential sentence of 26 years to life. Sentencing is tentatively set for January 23, 2024.
This conviction marks a significant moment for the community, as it was the first murder in Rolling Hills Estates in nearly a decade. As the trial concluded, the emotional weight of the case reverberated through the community, raising questions about safety and justice.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
