Fertility Doctor, Eric Sills Accused of Fatally Stabbing His Wife, Allegedly Staged Incident as Staircase Fall and Blamed Neck Injuries on Family Dogs

A California fertility doctor, 58-year-old Eric Sills, was found guilty of murdering his wife, Susann Sills, 45, by strangling her in their home in 2016. While prosecutors couldn't prove a clear motive, they painted a picture of a troubled marriage strained by alimony payments and marital tension.

Friction arose from Eric's alimony payments to his ex-wife, and an incident where Susann posted a topless photo after losing a bet during the 2016 presidential election. In text messages, Susann expressed feeling trapped and even told Eric, "You are killing me, don't you see?"

The prosecution claimed Eric killed Susann around 5 a.m., a theory supported by their 12-year-old son who heard arguing in the early hours. However, Eric called 911 over an hour later, claiming he and their daughter found Susann injured at the bottom of the stairs.

Key points of contention included Eric calling Susann a "patient" in the 911 call, which prosecutors saw as cold, while his defense attributed it to doctor mode kicking in. The prosecution also argued Eric deliberately manipulated the scene, placing Susann's foot on the stairs instead of on a flat surface for CPR, and wasting time looking for a pulse oximeter instead of helping.

District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned Eric's actions, calling him "diabolical" for trying to stage the scene. He further described Eric's act as a betrayal of his vows and a devastating loss for their children.

Eric's defense maintained Susann's migraine medication affected her balance, leading to an accidental fall. They attributed her neck injuries to the family's dogs tugging on her scarf as she lay unconscious. However, the prosecution argued the blood and hair found on the scene, along with Susann's desperate fight for life, contradicted the accidental fall theory.

Eric's sentencing for second-degree murder is scheduled for March 15, where he faces a potential life sentence. This case, filled with conflicting narratives and complex medical details, highlights the intricate workings of the justice system in uncovering the truth behind a tragic death.

 

[SOURCE]