POLICE launched a homicide investigation when a young woman was found dead in her bathtub.
At first, cops believed Susan Woods’ estranged husband Michael was her killer; the culprit turned out to be someone else close to her.
Who was Susan Woods and what happened to her?
Susan Woods was a homicide victim from Stephenville, Texas.
On July 28, 1987, 30-year-old Susan was found dead by her father in the bathroom of her home; she was murdered two days before.
Susan’s father stopped by her residence when her employer contacted him after she missed two consecutive shifts at the sandpaper factory.
Police concluded the victim was murdered by asphyxiation.
An autopsy also revealed she was sexually assaulted before her death.
Initially, law enforcement believed Susan’s estranged husband Michael Woods was the culprit.
However, an arrest wasn’t made and Susan’s homicide went cold for 20 years.
In May 2006, a breakthrough in Susan’s case was made when forensic technology identified the fingerprints from the crime scene and linked them to an acquaintance of hers.
The fingerprints belonged to Joseph Scott Hatley.
Hatley was a cousin of Susan’s best friend, Cindy Hayes.
On June 6, 2006, Hatley was arrested for her homicide.
When was Joseph Scott Hatley sentenced?
On October 9, 2007, Hatley pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
In August 2018, he was released from prison for good behavior.
On December 9, 2021, Hatley was found dead in his RV.
On January 19, 2024, Susan’s case will be revisited by ABC’s 20/20.
In an episode titled There is a Monster in Me, anchor Chris Connelly gathers first-hand accounts from those close to the investigation.
There is a Monster in Me is scheduled to air at 9 pm EST via ABC.
Viewers who miss the episode can check out the episode via Hulu.
Previously, Susan’s death was also the subject of a Dateline NBC episode titled The Monster at Large.