Episode 40: MURDERED: Sophi Sullivan - Fort Davis, TX

In the remote beauty of West Texas, a beloved teacher and mother was brutally murdered in her own home. What followed was an investigation riddled with delays, missed evidence, and unanswered questions that still haunt Sophi Sullivan’s family years later.

Episode Summary

Sophi Eleanor Sabey Sullivan was born on February 9, 1987, and was known for her gentle spirit, intelligence, and deep love for people and animals. She was a devoted mother, a passionate teacher, and someone whose presence made others feel safe and supported. Friends and family describe Sophi as kind, encouraging, and the person you wanted beside you on your worst days. Sophi and her husband, Danny Sullivan, married in 2009 and shared a son, Keagan. Over time, loved ones say Danny became increasingly possessive, jealous, and controlling.

On Thursday, March 15, 2018, Sophi spent the day with a close friend and her son at the 4-H fair. Her friend noticed troubling behavior from Keagan, including language and hostility that felt learned rather than age-appropriate, and the conversation turned to concerns about Danny and Sophi’s safety. Sophi expressed fear about leaving and what Danny might do if he found out. The next day, Sophi stopped responding to calls and texts. Just before 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 16, Danny called 911, claiming he had just arrived home and found Sophi dead on the floor, covered in blood. When deputies arrived, they immediately sensed something was wrong. Sophi had been stabbed more than 40 times.

Keagan later told investigators that he witnessed the attack and initially described a masked intruder. Sophi’s phone was never recovered. Her rings and watch, sentimental items, were missing from her body. Despite serious red flags, investigators failed to search Danny’s Odessa trailer for months. When it was finally searched, new tenants were already living there. Surveillance footage was reviewed using the wrong timeline, resulting in lost evidence. Danny was arrested and charged with capital murder just days after Sophi’s death. In 2019, the case went to trial, but due to investigative failures, excluded testimony about abuse, and largely circumstantial evidence, the trial ended in a hung jury.

If you have any information related to the murder of Sophi Sullivan or relevant details that may help advance this case, please contact local law enforcement or the Jeff Davis County District Attorney’s Office. If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, please reach out for help.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Sophi’s family has waited far too long for accountability. You can help by sharing Sophi’s story to keep pressure on the justice system, calling for the Jeff Davis County District Attorney to move forward with a retrial, and supporting organizations that advocate for domestic violence survivors.

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