Rolling Hills Estates, CA – A California jury has convicted a woman accused of brutally stabbing a retired nurse inside a mall parking structure in what prosecutors described as a desperate attempt to steal money for her daughter’s cheerleading trip.
Incident Overview
Jurors found 47-year-old Cherie Townsend guilty of first-degree murder in the 2018 killing of 66-year-old Susan Leeds, a retired nurse whose body was discovered inside her Mercedes-Benz SUV at the Promenade on the Peninsula mall. The verdict came seven years after Townsend was first arrested, released, and later rearrested as new evidence and inconsistencies in her statements resurfaced.
According to prosecutors, Townsend was under financial pressure in the days leading up to the killing and had been searching for ways to quickly come up with $2,000, the amount she reportedly needed to send her teenage daughter to a cheerleading competition in Florida.
Timeline of the Crime
On May 3, 2018, surveillance cameras showed a gold Chevy Malibu registered to Townsend entering the mall’s parking structure at 9:40 a.m. Investigators said Townsend remained on site for hours, “lying in wait” for a victim.
Leeds returned to her SUV around 12:12 p.m., where she was attacked and stabbed 17 times in the neck and torso. Moments later, security footage captured Townsend’s vehicle speeding out of the structure, cutting off other drivers and running a red light as it exited the mall area.
One of the most critical pieces of evidence came when detectives found Townsend’s cellphone underneath Leeds’ SUV. Police also noted that Leeds’ phone moved along the same route Townsend was seen traveling on camera. Townsend later went to a Verizon store to shut down that phone’s account.
Investigators Detail Search History and Motive
Prosecutors argued that Townsend had become increasingly desperate for cash in the weeks before the murder. Her Google search history included topics such as how to duplicate credit cards, rob coin-operated washing machines, and even how to find a “sugar daddy.” Searches also included information about the Promenade on the Peninsula mall and local gyms.
Authorities said Townsend was seeking at least $2,000 and hoped to fund not only her daughter’s trip but flights for two of the girl’s friends. She reportedly asked those families for $350 each to cover airfare, but investigators said no tickets were ever purchased.
Shifting Stories Raise Red Flags
Townsend was originally arrested in 2018 but released after five days due to insufficient evidence. She later made public statements asserting her innocence and even filed a civil lawsuit against the county.
When the case was reexamined and Townsend was interviewed again in 2023, police said her story changed in ways that conflicted with surveillance footage. Initially, she told investigators she went to the mall for her daughter and never left the parking garage because her car had mechanical issues. Years later, she claimed she had walked to the mall to buy something for her son. Neither version matched what cameras recorded.
Her lawsuit was dismissed shortly after she was rearrested in 2023.
Courtroom Testimony and Jury Decision
During the trial, defense attorneys argued that no physical evidence besides the cellphone tied Townsend to the killing and pointed out that a homeless man had also been arrested and released early in the investigation. Prosecutors countered that Townsend’s digital footprint, surveillance trail, motive, and inconsistent statements formed a clear picture of premeditation.
After several hours of deliberation, jurors returned a guilty verdict for first-degree murder. Townsend is scheduled to be sentenced on January 23, 2026.
Community Reaction and Case Significance
The case drew widespread attention due to the extreme nature of the attack and the alleged motive involving a youth cheerleading trip. Leeds, remembered by friends and family as a dedicated nurse and beloved community member, had retired shortly before her death.
Authorities emphasized the importance of digital evidence in securing the conviction, noting that searches, cellphone data, and surveillance footage helped reconstruct the events of that day.
Conclusion
Townsend now faces the possibility of life behind bars for the fatal stabbing, bringing a long-running case to a close for Leeds’ family and the Rolling Hills Estates community.
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