Five years ago, Theresa Neubauer received a phone call at work that changed her life. Her son-in-law and prominent fertility doctor, Scott Sills, had been arrested on suspicion of murder in the mysterious death of her daughter, Susann Sills. The couple lived in Southern California, and Susann’s body was found at the bottom of a staircase in their home in 2016. Neubauer, who had viewed Sills as a grieving widower raising their twins, was shocked by the news and had no idea that authorities were investigating the death as suspicious.
During Sills’ trial, the prosecutor argued that there had been a violent struggle ending with him strangling his wife and staging her body on the staircase. On the other hand, Sills’ lawyer claimed that the death was the result of an accidental fall. Despite Neubauer’s belief that her daughter may have suffered from a sudden ailment due to her agility and grace, forensic evidence and multiple injuries on Susann’s body pointed to foul play. Sills was ultimately convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
On the morning of Susann’s death, Sills had called 911 to report finding her body at the bottom of the stairs. While he initially claimed that her death may have been due to migraine medication leading to a fatal fall, investigators discovered evidence that hinted at a more sinister scenario. This included bloodstains and hair in the bedroom, injuries on both Susann and Scott, and troubling text messages from Susann indicating marital discord. A lengthy forensic investigation eventually revealed that Susann had been strangled with a ligature.
Despite the suspicions and evidence pointing towards Sills, the coroner took a year to officially determine Susann’s cause of death as a homicide. During this time, Susann’s family remained unaware of any troubles in the couple’s relationship, as Neubauer had regular contact with her daughter and did not observe any major issues. As the investigation progressed, various pieces of evidence, such as bloodstains and ligature marks, strengthened the case against Sills, leading to his arrest on suspicion of murder in 2019.
After enduring years of uncertainty, delays, and a grueling trial process, Neubauer was present in court when Sills was convicted of second-degree murder. While she expressed some relief at the verdict, the loss of her daughter lingered. The trial highlighted the tragic end to Susann’s life, a woman described as agile and graceful, who left behind a family shattered by her sudden death. As Sills began his prison sentence, Neubauer grappled with the absence of her daughter and the painful reality of the circumstances surrounding her untimely passing.
