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Tuesday, July 28th, 1987, Stephenville, Texas. The summer heat clings to the small town, where everyone knows everyone. In a modest house on a quiet street, Susan Woods is trying to pick up the pieces of her life. Recently separated from her husband, Michael, Susan is determined to start anew. Little does she know, her life is about to take a tragic turn.
That night, Susan opens her door to someone she trusts. The exact details of what happens next remain murky, but what is certain is that it leads to a brutal murder. Susan’s failure to show up for work over the next two days raises alarm bells. Her father, growing increasingly anxious, decides to check on her.
Upon arriving at Susan’s home, he is met with a horrific scene. Susan's lifeless body is discovered, the victim of a violent crime. The investigation that follows is long and arduous. The local police are stumped, chasing down numerous leads and suspecting various individuals, but always coming up short.
Initially, suspicion falls heavily on Susan's estranged husband, Michael. The circumstances of their separation, combined with typical investigative instincts to first look at close acquaintances, make him a primary suspect. However, the evidence against him is circumstantial at best. Despite their efforts, the police cannot find definitive proof to charge Michael.
As years turn into decades, the case of Susan Woods grows cold. Yet, it is never forgotten. Susan’s family continues to push for answers, and the case remains open, a dark shadow over the community of Stephenville. Unbeknownst to everyone, the real killer has been hiding in plain sight all along.
Two decades later, advances in forensic technology provide new hope. A dedicated cold case unit re-examines the evidence, employing techniques that were not available in 1987. DNA analysis brings a breakthrough—linking the crime scene to a previously overlooked suspect. The true killer, a person who had managed to evade suspicion for twenty years, is finally unmasked and brought to justice.
Join us in this episode of our true crime podcast, Hitched 2 Homicide as we delve deep into the details of this chilling case. We'll explore the timeline of events, the investigative missteps, and the eventual breakthrough that led to the capture of Susan Woods’ murderer. Through interviews with family members, law enforcement, and forensic experts, we piece together the intricate puzzle of a crime that haunted a community and baffled the police.
This is the story of Susan Woods—a tale of tragedy, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Listen to "Hidden in Plain Sight," and uncover the truth behind a case that proves the adage: the truth is often stranger than fiction.
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