Susan Jeanette Atkins was brutally murdered in 1987 and everyone swore they knew who did it. There was one man that had to be guilty as sin, and all the residents of Stephenville, Texas knew they were guilty, police were just wasting time by not arresting him. For 20 years, the people of Stephenville knew who was responsible for Susan's murder, until the day someone else was arrested.

Ashley Inge, Austin American-Statesman. (2020, June 9). Susan Woods’ documentary to air Sunday. Stephenville Empire-Tribune. https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2020/06/09/susan-woods-documentary-to-air-sunday/113740330/Autopsy indicates woman was drowned. (1987, August 1). Fort Worth Star Telegram, 31.Burrough, B., & Burrough, B. (2023, June 22). Everyone in Stephenville Thought They Knew Who Killed Susan Woods. Texas Monthly. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/susan-woods-stephenville-murder-hidden-killer/Johnson, J. (2023, June 25). The Real Killer Signed the Guest Book at Her Funeral. Newser. https://www.newser.com/story/336835/the-real-killer-signed-the-guest-book-at-her-funeral.htmlMan sentenced to 30 years in woman’s 1987 death. (2007, October 8). My Plainview. Retrieved July 1, 2023, from https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Man-sentenced-to-30-years-in-woman-s-1987-death-8640961.phpNBC News. (2021, February 20). Transcript of The Monster at Large from Dateline NBC podcast. Happy Scribe. https://www.happyscribe.com/public/dateline-nbc/the-monster-at-largeSmith, S. (2023). Susan Woods Murder: The Truth Behind Her Tragic Death. Vizaca. https://www.vizaca.com/susan-woods-murder/Susan Jeanette Atkins Woods. (1987, July 31). Abilene Reporter News, 36.Vanden Berge, S. (n.d.). Confessed murderer released from prison, family appalled. Stephenville Empire-Tribune. https://web.archive.org/web/20210610120404/https://www.yourstephenvilletx.com/news/20180801/confessed-murderer-released-from-prison-family-appalledVanden Berge, S. (2021, December 15). The man who killed Stephenville resident Susan Woods in 1987 found dead inside his trailer. Beneath the Surface. https://www.beneaththesurfacenews.com/post/the-man-who-killed-stephenville-resident-susan-woods-in-1987-found-dead-inside-his-trailerWarnock, C. (2022, September 13). Joseph Scott Hatley: Where Is Susan Woods’ Killer Now? Heavy. Retrieved July 4, 2023, from https://heavy.com/news/joseph-scott-hatley-today/Support the showIf you enjoyed learning about this case, check out our Instagram @bookofthedeadpod or website botdpod.com
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