One day in January 2009, 91-year-old Selma “Sally” Hill was not answering her phone calls, which was very unusual for her. Sally’s life partner, Lester, had a daily habit of speaking with Sally at 4:00 pm each day. When Sally didn’t answer Lester’s calls on January 7, 2009, Lester became concerned. He called Sally’s grandson Eric, who later showed up at Sally’s house to find Lester’s family waiting and worrying outside. While they waited, Eric went inside the house to search for his grandmother, but he could not find her. As Sally did not drive, it made no sense for her not to be at home.

Join us at the quiet end for Operation Custody. Eric and his young daughter had been living with Sally since Eric and his wife separated. A heated custody battle for their young daughter had gone on for some time, but what happened that January day would shock everyone involved and end in unforeseeable violence.

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Sources

Defendant Seeks Separate Trial from Wife, Daughter in Dublin Murder Case, Patch.com, 3-7-2011, https://patch.com/california/dublin/defendant-seeks-separate-trial-from-wife-daughter-in-1ac34c3606, retrieved 4-8-2025.

Killing for Custody, Worst Ex Ever, E3, retrieved 4-8-2025.

People v. Hill, California Court of Appeals, Decision date 4-16-2025, retrieved 4-9-2025.