‘On the Case with Paula Zahn’ set to air the murder of Stephenville resident Susan Woods on Sunday.

By SARA VANDEN BERGE

I have covered the case of Susan Woods now for more than a decade.

I broke the story years ago when the Stephenville Police Department reopened the cold case, identified a suspect and made the arrest.

I covered the story when Woods’ acquaintance, Joseph Scott Hatley, was convicted of her murder and wrote about his early release from prison in 2018, which appalled everyone including his own family.

On Sunday, I will watch the story play out on television when the case is featured on an episode of “On the Case with Paula Zahn” at 9 p.m. on IDTV.

You will want to watch too.

BACKGROUND

Woods was found dead in her bathtub by her father on July 28, 1987 and the whodunit remained unsolved for more than 20 years – until former Lt. Don Miller reopened the cold case to re-examine old evidence using new technology.

A fingerprint led to Hatley’s arrest and he was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2007 after confessing one week before his trial was set to begin.

He was released after only serving 11 years.

Several locals are expected to appear on the show including Lt. Miller, Donnie Hensley, Roy and Cindy Hayes and Gloria Martin.