SANTA ANA, Calif. – A 58-year-old fertility doctor was convicted today of second-degree murder for the fatal strangulation of his wife whose body was found at the foot of the stairs in a staged accident at their San Clemente home in November 2016.

E. Scott Sills was found guilty by a jury today of one count of second-degree murder. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 15.

On Nov. 13, 2016, Sills called 911 and said he awoke to find the lifeless body of his wife, 45-year-old Susann Sills, after she apparently fell down the stairs. Evidence presented at trial showed that she died due to strangulation and blood stains were found on a wall and curtains in their daughter’s bedroom where Susann was sleeping due to a migraine. A clump of her hair also was found in the room, indicating that there had been a violent struggle between the couple.

“Dr. Sills was sworn to care for the sick and injured and his chosen profession as a fertility doctor helped bring so much joy to his patients but the woman he vowed to love in sickness and health was strangled to death by his own hands,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “Think of how diabolical you have to be – not only to kill your wife but to make it look like she had fallen down the stairs. It took calculated planning to commit this crime and worse of all he ruthlessly and selfishly murdered the mother of their children who now are left without their parents. I am grateful to the jury for the verdict and the diligent work by investigators and Senior Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker for holding him accountable for his reprehensible act.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker of the Homicide Unit prosecuted this case.