Mother Murders Nurse For Daughter’s Trip

A California mother’s desperate quest to fund her daughter’s cheerleading trip led to the cruel murder of an innocent 66-year-old retired nurse, Susan Leeds, in 2018. Cherie Townsend was convicted of first-degree murder for stabbing Leeds 17 times in a botched robbery, a crime motivated by the need to steal approximately $2,000 for her child’s competition expenses. The case, which shocked an affluent community, took seven years to resolve, culminating in Townsend’s re-arrest and swift conviction in 2023.

Story Highlights

Cherie Townsend convicted of first-degree murder for stabbing Susan Leeds 17 times in 2018 botched robbery.
Prosecution proved Townsend killed to steal money for daughter’s cheerleading competition expenses.
Case took seven years to resolve after initial arrest, release, wrongful arrest lawsuit, then re-arrest in 2023.
Jury convicted in less than one day despite defense claims of no DNA evidence linking Townsend to crime.

Vicious Crime Shocks Affluent Community

On May 3, 2018, Susan Leeds was found stabbed to death in her SUV inside the parking garage of the upscale Promenade on the Peninsula shopping center in Rolling Hills Estates. The 66-year-old retired nurse had been stabbed 17 times in what prosecutors described as a vicious botched robbery. The crime shocked the wealthy, gated community where violent attacks are virtually unheard of, leaving residents questioning their safety in what they considered a secure area.

Cherie Lynnette Townsend, a 47-year-old mother of two from Carson, became the prime suspect when her cell phone was discovered near the crime scene and her vehicle was found parked on the same garage level as Leeds’ SUV. Despite the circumstantial evidence, prosecutors initially declined to file charges, leading to Townsend’s release and setting the stage for years of legal battles.

California mom Cherie Townsend convicted of killing 66-year-old retired nurse in botched robbery to fund daughter’s cheerleading trip https://t.co/27ud8s5mde pic.twitter.com/JKSymxID3N

— New York Post (@nypost) December 9, 2025

Wrongful Arrest Lawsuit Backfires Spectacularly

After her 2018 release, Townsend sued the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for wrongful arrest, claiming she was falsely accused and had simply dropped her phone at the mall. The lawsuit remained active for five years while detectives continued investigating the cold case. However, Townsend’s legal strategy backfired when new evidence emerged in 2023, leading to her re-arrest and the immediate dismissal of her civil lawsuit.

The prosecution’s case centered on financial desperation as the motive, arguing that Townsend needed approximately $2,000 to fund her daughter’s cheerleading competition. This twisted prioritization of a child’s extracurricular activity over human life reflects a disturbing breakdown in moral values that conservatives have long warned about in our increasingly materialistic society.

Justice Finally Served After Seven-Year Battle

Despite the defense’s arguments about the lack of DNA evidence directly linking Townsend to the crime, the jury needed less than a day of deliberation to reach their guilty verdict on first-degree murder charges. The swift decision suggests the circumstantial evidence—including phone location data, vehicle positioning, and established motive—painted a clear picture of Townsend’s guilt that resonated strongly with jurors.

Townsend now faces a sentence of 26 years to life in prison, ensuring she will likely spend the remainder of her life behind bars for her heinous act. The Leeds family finally received the justice they deserved after nearly eight years of waiting, though no verdict can truly compensate for the loss of their beloved Susan, described as a kind and community-oriented woman who dedicated her life to helping others as a nurse.

Watch the report: Cherie Townsend convicted in 2018 killing of woman in Rolling Hills Estates