Where is Matthew Sullivan now?
The mysterious disappearance of Elizabeth Sullivan on October 13, 2014, took a grim turn when her U.S. Navy service member husband, Matthew Sullivan, was arrested for second-degree murder in 2018. On March 12, 2021, he received a sentence of 16 years to life in prison.
The badly decomposed body of Elizabeth Sullivan, a U.S. Navy wife and mother of two, surfaced along the San Diego Bay, nearly two years after her vanishing. The Dateline NBC episode, titled “Secrets by the Bay,” unfolds the arrest of Matthew Sullivan for Elizabeth’s murder, with the synopsis stating, “A San Diego mother suddenly vanishes in 2014; nearly two years later, her body is found in the San Diego Bay, but medical examiners say she has only been dead for a month or two.”
The investigation into the murder of Elizabeth Sullivan gained momentum as details of her tumultuous marriage with Matthew surfaced, including financial issues, concerns about child welfare, and allegations of infidelity.
Matthew’s arrest became a focal point as the investigation revealed suspicious activities. Calls to 911 from the Sullivan home raised alarms, and the abusive nature of their marriage was underscored by Elizabeth’s friend, Nathan Caracter. Matthew discovered Elizabeth’s extramarital affair in September 2014, adding strain to their relationship.
On October 13, 2014, a 911 call from Matthew hinted at Elizabeth framing him, resulting in a messy bedroom and photographs taken by her. Calls from Elizabeth in March 2014 highlighted financial and child support disputes between the couple.
Matthew Sullivan’s arrest was further fueled by his purchase of carpet cleaner the day after Elizabeth’s disappearance. Investigators discovered a bloodstained carpet at their home, with Elizabeth’s blood penetrating the wooden flooring. The murder weapon, with traces of Elizabeth’s blood, was found hidden in the attic insulation above Matthew’s bedroom. Cadaver dogs indicated a freezer in the garage, allegedly used to store Elizabeth’s remains for two years.
Arrested on January 31, 2018, Matthew Sullivan was extradited from Delaware to San Diego. His trial commenced on October 22, 2019, where he faced second-degree murder charges. On March 12, 2021, Matthew was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison, and he is currently incarcerated at North Kern State Prison in Delano, California.
