Lee Gillrich (Susan Walters) is the main villainess from "For Whom the Ball Tolls," episode 10.02 (and the 200th overall episode) of Murder, She Wrote (airdate September 26, 1993). She is the wife of real estate developer Eugene Gillrich, and the sister-in-law of Walter Gillrich, Eugene's brother and business partner. In the business, Lee served as an interior designer.
Eugene and Lee were both adamant on the former's plans to tear down brownstones to build a modern complex, while Walter was against the proposition. While Lee was at a tavern next to the brownstones, she heard a phone conversation between Walter and Margaret Johnson (the latter of the two being part of a group to prevent the demolition) and left in a taxi to follow Margaret. She tracked Margaret to Walter's office and listened in on their conversation, learning that Walter promised to convince Eugene to spare the brownstones and build elsewhere, which angered Lee
After Margaret left, Lee confronted her brother-in-law and verbally lambasted him, stating that Eugene had been carrying him. She also stated that she would force Eugene to choose between them, which led to Walter ejecting her. At that moment, Lee pulled out her gun and shot Walter to death, while Walter's back was turned. After the murder, the evil Lee moved Walter to Eugene's office, which led to the theory that Eugene was the intended victim, and also resulted in Margaret being arrested. Lee was revealed as Walter's killer by Jessica Fletcher and Artie Gelber, as Lee's parking at the tavern gave her away — her car had been towed after she returned from killing Walter. After confessing to the murder, Lee was arrested, with Eugene left in despair.
Trivia[]
- Susan Walters also portrayed vengeful villainess Mary Kinnan on CSI: Miami, as well as the evil Claire Baldwin in Lifetime's Framed for Murder.