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00:00:00 – 00:27:39
The video delves into the complex case of Elizabeth Sullivan, a 31-year-old mother of two who disappeared in San Diego in October 2014. Elizabeth, who had relocated from Virginia to San Diego with her Navy husband, Matthew, was initially thought to have potentially left on her own accord due to her complicated personal life and troubled marriage, which involved allegations of domestic abuse and infidelity. However, her body was discovered in 2016 near their neighborhood, prompting a homicide investigation.
Key findings include Elizabeth's unhappy marital life, her affair, and plans to divorce Matthew. Evidence pointed to Matthew's involvement, with a notable discovery of a bloodstained knife with both their DNA and a failed alibi regarding the use of a freezer to conceal her body. Despite defense arguments about Elizabeth's erratic behavior and drug use, Matthew was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 16 years to life in prison. The resolution underscores a tragic narrative of domestic turmoil and a fatal outcome.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the disappearance of Elizabeth Sullivan in autumn 2014 is introduced. The San Diego Police suspected foul play, though evidence was sparse. Friends believed something terrible had happened, but her family was unsure due to Elizabeth’s complex and capable nature, suggesting she might have disappeared intentionally. The case, covered by host Kevin, involves a young mother with a chaotic history, and the resolution was equally complicated.
Elizabeth, a 31-year-old mother of two, was admired for her intelligence and creativity by friends and acquaintances. She had recently relocated to San Diego from Virginia, following her husband Matthew, who was in the U.S. Navy. They lived in the Liberty Station neighborhood with their two children. Matthew’s frequent deployments meant Elizabeth often had to manage on her own, maintaining a routine and active social life until her disappearance on October 14. Her friend Nathan Character reported her missing to the San Diego Police Department.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the focus is on the last known activities and the personal dynamics involving Elizabeth Sullivan. Her husband, Matthew, had noted Elizabeth was seen at home a day before she went missing. Despite her car being found at the house and a messy home, there were no clear signs of foul play. Investigators discovered that one of their family suitcases was missing, and Elizabeth had transferred over $1,000 to her personal account, suggesting she might have left voluntarily. Examination of Elizabeth’s journals revealed stories with parallels to her life, hinting at potential disillusionment. Her last known communication was a text on October 13th, after which her phone was turned off. Matthew was concerned but not shocked by her absence, as she had a history of emotional instability. Elizabeth had recently been unhappy about Matthew’s mother moving in, which led to significant tension and Elizabeth leaving home after an argument shortly before she was reported missing.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the investigation into Elizabeth Sullivan’s disappearance is discussed. Despite Matthew’s explanations, lack of concrete evidence made the case challenging for investigators. They discovered that Elizabeth and her husband Matthew had been living largely separate lives due to his Navy absences, and their marriage was reportedly unhappy with accusations of domestic abuse and police interventions. Elizabeth coped with these stresses by overmedicating and starting a relationship with a man from Tinder. She seemed to lead a double life—at home, a struggling wife and mother, but also a girlfriend with risky behaviors. On October 19th, it was revealed that off-duty deputies had seen Elizabeth at Liberty Station’s soccer fields, appearing disheveled and possibly under the influence. She mentioned losing her phone and not being home the previous night. A week later, she was spotted near San Diego International Airport, intensifying the concern and search efforts by her family.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, it is revealed that by November 2014, one month after Elizabeth Sullivan was reported missing, there had been no further sightings of her. Her husband, Matthew, gave an interview expressing his distress and his constant search for her, while emphasizing his concern for their daughters. Investigators had debunked a sighting near the airport but upheld reports of her being seen in a park. Despite outward appearances of grief, Matthew was back on the dating scene within a month and later moved his girlfriend into the house.
By October 2016, Elizabeth’s body was found in the channel near Liberty Station, showing signs of having been stabbed. The case was transferred to the homicide unit. It was also noted that on the day her body was found, Matthew was moving house with his pregnant girlfriend and moved out of state shortly thereafter. Homicide detectives then began reexamining the case with this new information.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, it is revealed that Elizabeth’s $1,000 remained untouched in her account, indicating she was killed before spending it. A notable transaction on her credit card was a payment to a divorce attorney, signifying marital issues including separate bedrooms, police involvement, and her admitting to an affair. This situation led to arguments over child custody, with Matthew believing Elizabeth intended to falsely accuse him to gain sole custody. On the day of her disappearance, Matthew reported to 911 that Elizabeth took money from their account and might be trying to have him arrested. After moving out of state, police searching their home found a military-style folding knife in the attic with Elizabeth’s blood and Matthew’s DNA, leading to his arrest on January 31, 2018.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, the focus is on reconciling the medical examiners’ findings with the timeline of Elizabeth’s death. Two medical experts concluded that Elizabeth had likely been dead for only two months, not two years. The state of California posited that her husband, Matthew, killed her on October 13, 2014, and used a large freezer to hide her body until shortly before his move to Delaware. Cadaver dogs had alerted to the freezer, which was empty during searches but had presumably stored Elizabeth’s body. Matthew’s defense argued that Elizabeth was unpredictable, abused drugs, and often disappeared without notice. They contested the freezer theory, noting no definitive evidence and multiple searches yielding no results. The defense also highlighted that Matthew lived in the home with others, none of whom discovered Elizabeth. The narrative outlines Elizabeth’s past behavior of abruptly changing her life direction, as reported by her father and friends.
00:18:00
In this part of the video, the focus is on the circumstances surrounding Elizabeth’s disappearance and the investigation that followed. It describes inconsistencies and confusions about sightings of Elizabeth, highlighting that off-duty officers initially misremembered the timeline of their encounter with her. Evidence indicated that Elizabeth stayed at a homeless shelter the night before she went missing, supporting what she told deputies in the park.
Two days after she disappeared, it was reported that her boyfriend, Steve Sutton, had interactions that complicated the case. Initially uncooperative, Sutton eventually revealed that he received emails from someone claiming to be Elizabeth, containing information only she could have known. However, he couldn’t produce these emails as he had deleted them. Sutton also recounted intermittent communication with Elizabeth, noting she seemed happy and had plans to divorce Matthew, her husband.
00:21:00
In this segment of the video, the focus is on the investigation into Elizabeth’s murder and the events leading up to it. Elizabeth’s affair with Steve and her plans for divorce are highlighted as potential motives. Her friends testified about the troubled state of her marriage, noting Elizabeth’s fear of her husband, Matthew. On the night of the murder, Elizabeth was advised by her friend Kandra to lock herself in her room and call the police if necessary. Forensic evidence, including blood stains detected with luminol, indicated a struggle and murder in the bedroom and bathroom. It was revealed that the day after the murder, Matthew bought carpet cleaner from Home Depot, suggesting an attempt to cover up the crime.
00:24:00
In this part of the video, it is revealed that Matthew Sullivan was found guilty of second-degree murder for killing his wife, Elizabeth. Evidence included his debit card purchase of a carpet cleaner used to clean the crime scene. Elizabeth was found near a park where she often stayed overnight. She was married to Matthew, a Navy man with a secretive and erratic history. The jury had to decide whether he committed first or second-degree murder. Although he was acquitted of first-degree murder, he was convicted of second-degree murder. During sentencing, his defense lawyer asked for leniency due to his military service. However, Elizabeth’s loved ones expressed enduring pain and a desire that Matthew never experience freedom again. He was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison and will be eligible for parole in August, according to the latest California incarceration records.
00:27:00
In this part of the video, Kevin concludes the discussion about the tragic case of Elizabeth Sullivan. He thanks the viewers for their continuous support and encouragement every week. Kevin then signs off, indicating he’ll see the audience in the next video.