A mother of two fatally stabbed a retired nurse in order to obtain money for her daughter’s cheerleading camp fees, according to a court ruling. Cherie Townsend, aged 47, murdered 66-year-old Susan Leeds on May 3, 2018, in the parking structure of a shopping mall in Rolling Hills Estates, California. The attack involved Townsend stabbing her victim 17 times during an attempted robbery, described as a vicious assault.
After a lengthy legal battle spanning seven years, Townsend has been found guilty. Initially claiming innocence and alleging unfair treatment by law enforcement, she was first arrested in May 2018 when her phone was discovered at the crime scene. Released six days later due to the need for additional evidence, Townsend later sued the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, citing racial discrimination, emotional distress, and false imprisonment.
In a subsequent arrest in August 2023, Townsend was charged with murder and eventually convicted on December 4 for first-degree murder. She had previously stated that she was at the mall for her son’s prom during the time of Leeds’ death but could not explain the presence of her phone under the victim’s car. Investigations revealed that Townsend was in dire need of $2,000 and expressed distress in a note found on her phone.
Despite Townsend’s claims of innocence and the absence of direct evidence linking her to the crime, jurors determined she personally committed the murder using a knife. Fred Leeds, the victim’s stepson, emphasized the impact of the tragedy on many lives, describing Susan Leeds as a kind individual who lived a fulfilling life.
Facing a potential sentence of over 20 years, Townsend’s sentencing is scheduled for January 23, 2026.
