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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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On April 26, 2011, the small town of Snellville, Georgia, was shaken by a brutal crime that left a young mother dead and a community searching for answers. Heather Strube, a 25-year-old mother, met her estranged husband in the Target parking lot for a routine custody exchange of their 18-month-old son, Carson. What followed was a shocking act of violence that would unravel a web of bizarre and incriminating details.

Heather Strube’s life was tragically cut short when, after the custody exchange, a person in disguise confronted her in the parking lot. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a strange figure dressed in a wig reminiscent of Sonny Bono’s hairstyle, a fake mustache, and exhibiting a peculiar walk. This individual approached Heather, exchanged words with her, then pointed a gun at her forehead, pulled the trigger, and calmly walked away, leaving Heather lifeless on the ground.

The audacity and surreal nature of the disguise initially baffled investigators. The killer’s outfit—a wig, mustache, and peculiar gait—seemed almost too theatrical to be real, yet it effectively concealed the assailant’s identity. However, the investigation soon revealed a deeper, more personal motive behind the murder.

Two key witnesses played crucial roles in unraveling the mystery. These men provided testimony that helped prosecutors piece together the events leading up to and following Heather's murder. Their accounts, combined with forensic evidence, pointed investigators towards a chilling conclusion: the killer was someone Heather knew intimately.

The evidence eventually led to the arrest and conviction of Joanna Hayes, Heather Strube’s mother-in-law. Hayes had disguised herself in the bizarre costume to carry out the murder, motivated by a deep-seated animosity towards Heather. Her plan, meticulously executed, included the outlandish disguise to mislead witnesses and investigators.

The trial of Joanna Hayes captivated the nation, as the bizarre nature of the crime and the dramatic courtroom revelations unfolded. Hayes was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to life in prison, providing a sense of closure to Heather’s family and the community of Snellville.

Heather Strube’s story is a tragic reminder of the lengths some individuals will go to in pursuit of their vendettas. It also highlights the critical role of eyewitness testimony and forensic evidence in bringing justice to victims and their families. Her case continues to be a poignant topic in true crime circles, illustrating both the dark complexities of human relationships and the relentless pursuit of justice.

For those fascinated by true crime, the Heather Strube case serves as a compelling and cautionary tale, reminding us of the real and often heartbreaking stories behind the headlines. Tune in to our true crime podcast to hear more about Heather Strube’s life, the investigation that brought her killer to justice, and the lasting impact of this tragic event on the Snellville community.

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May 5th, 2009. The lives of a family in a small town near St. Louis are shattered. Husband and father, Chris Coleman's routine trip to the gym unraveled into a nightmare. Unable to reach his wife, Sheri, upon returning home, Chris's world collapsed when he received the chilling news from a neighbor and detective, Justin Barlow that his wife and two young sons were dead. But what unfolded next was far more than a tragic story of loss. Threatening notes, clandestine affairs, deception, infidelity, and ultimately, murder—all under the unlikely backdrop of televangelism. This is the story of Chris Coleman. The Writing on the Wall.

Discovery of the Crime Scene
Detective Barlow, responding to Chris’s concerns, entered the Coleman household. What he discovered was a scene of unimaginable horror: Sheri Coleman and her two young sons, Garrett and Gavin, had been brutally murdered. The family home, once a place of love and warmth, was now a crime scene marked by violence and loss.

The Investigation: Unraveling the Deceit
As investigators delved into the case, they uncovered a series of threatening notes sent to the Coleman family in the weeks leading up to the murders. These notes, initially thought to be from an external source, hinted at danger but offered few clues about the true perpetrator.

However, the investigation took a dramatic turn as detectives began to piece together Chris Coleman's secret life. Despite his outward appearance as a devoted husband and father, Chris was leading a double life filled with deception and infidelity. He had been involved in an extramarital affair with Tara Lintz, a woman he had known for years. The relationship was more than a fleeting indiscretion—it was a full-blown affair that Chris had gone to great lengths to conceal.

The Motive: A Chilling Revelation
As evidence mounted, it became clear that Chris Coleman had meticulously planned the murders of his wife and children. The motive? To start a new life with his mistress without the complications of a messy divorce or the financial repercussions that would follow. The threatening notes, which were initially seen as a warning from an outsider, were in fact written by Chris himself in a calculated attempt to deflect suspicion and create a false narrative of external threats.

The Trial and Conviction
The case against Chris Coleman was overwhelming. Forensic evidence, digital trails, and his own incriminating actions painted a damning picture. In 2011, Chris Coleman was tried and convicted of the first-degree murders of Sheri, Garrett, and Gavin Coleman. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Join us in our latest True Crime podcast episode as we delve deeper into the Coleman family murders, exploring the intricate details of the investigation, the shocking discoveries, and the quest for justice that followed.

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