Rolling Hills Estates, California — A California mother has been convicted of first-degree murder for the brutal killing of a retired nurse inside a shopping mall parking garage, a crime prosecutors say she committed in an attempt to steal money to send her daughter to a cheerleading competition. Nearly six years after the killing of 66-year-old Susan Leeds, the case has finally reached a verdict.
Retired Nurse Stabbed 17 Times in Parking Garage
On May 3, 2018, Leeds was sitting inside her Mercedes-Benz SUV in the parking structure of the Peninsula Shopping Center in Rolling Hills Estates when 47-year-old Cherie Townsend attacked her. Prosecutors say Townsend stabbed Leeds 17 times in the neck and upper body before fleeing the scene.
The attack occurred in broad daylight in an upscale shopping area, shocking the local community and sparking a large-scale investigation.
Leeds, a retired Kaiser nurse, had spent decades caring for patients with Type 1 diabetes. Family members say she was a compassionate and selfless woman who dedicated her life to helping others.
Prosecutors: Townsend Needed $2,000 for Daughter’s Cheer Trip
According to investigators, Townsend went to the mall that day looking for an “easy target” to rob, hoping to steal $2,000 to pay for her daughter’s cheerleading trip to Florida. Prosecutors presented evidence that Townsend was under severe financial pressure and had been searching for ways to get money quickly.
She had allegedly considered starting a GoFundMe, but rejected the idea because she feared it would embarrass her daughter. Townsend also sent text messages asking about obtaining a fake ID and searched online to see whether Walmart checked IDs for credit card use.
These details, prosecutors argued, painted a picture of a woman desperate for money and willing to take extreme measures.
Early Arrest, Release, and Lawsuit Before 2023 Re-Arrest
Townsend was initially arrested in May 2018, shortly after the killing. However, she was released six days later after prosecutors said they did not yet have enough evidence to file formal charges.
Townsend maintained her innocence and later filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, alleging false imprisonment, defamation, racial discrimination, and emotional distress. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2023 — the same year Townsend was arrested again, this time with prosecutors saying they finally had sufficient evidence to charge her.
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DNA Evidence Connects Townsend to Scene
During the trial, Townsend’s public defender argued that no direct evidence — such as fingerprints, witnesses, or video footage — tied her to the murder. But a breakthrough came when investigators discovered a cellphone under Leeds’ SUV.
Initially believed to belong to the victim, the phone revealed a photo of Townsend once it was powered on. A Sheriff’s Department criminologist testified that DNA found on the phone matched Townsend, linking her to the crime scene.
This piece of evidence became central to the prosecution’s argument.
Victim’s Family Shares Pain and Relief
Family members of Susan Leeds, including her stepson Fred Leeds, expressed grief over the years-long wait for justice. He told reporters that Susan was a kind woman who devoted her life to helping others.
“So many lives were impacted by this murder,”
he said.
“She was a kind human being that would have done anything for anyone, and to be so brutally murdered — there’s just no explanation.”
Fred also shared that his father — Susan’s husband of 25 years — died in 2022 before seeing Townsend brought to justice.
“The last words from him to me were, ‘My Susie didn’t deserve this.’”
Townsend Faces 26 Years to Life in Prison
Townsend is scheduled to be sentenced on January 23, where she faces 26 years to life in prison. Prosecutors say the conviction finally delivers accountability for a crime that shattered an entire family and deeply impacted the community.
Share Your Thoughts
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