(L-R) Steve and Lana Clayton, eye drop bottle, and Stacy Hunsucker.

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48 HOURS: “The Eye Drop Homicide” was Saturday’s #1 program with viewers in the 10:00 PM hour, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings for Saturday, March 13. The broadcast delivered 2.95 million viewers and a 0.5/03 in adults 25-54. 48 HOURS was up +25% in adults 25-54 (from 0.4/03) and added +290,000 viewers (from 2.66m, +11%) from the previous week.

Saturday’s broadcast featured correspondent Peter Van Sant and 48 HOURS’ investigation into the death of businessman Steve Clayton and the case against his wife Lana Clayton. Lana Clayton said she found her husband dead at the bottom of a staircase in their South Carolina home. Initially, investigators reported Clayton died from a heart attack. Concerned about the nature of his death, the family asked for an autopsy and a toxicology test. The blood test revealed an unusual chemical – tetrahydrozoline – in Clayton’s blood that would shift the investigation into a new direction.

In fact, tetrahydrozoline is a common ingredient in many brands of eye drops. The makers of eye drops using tetrahydrozoline maintain their products are safe when used as directed and are clearly marked for external use only and should never be swallowed. Asked by investigators about the toxicology report findings, Lana Clayton said her husband put Visine in his coffee because “Somebody one time told him Visine would help him go to the bathroom.” In an instant, Lana Clayton, a nurse, went from grieving widow to suspect in her husband’s murder. Clayton told investigators she did not kill her husband.

48 HOURS: “The Eye Drop Homicide” is produced by Asena Basak. Ryan Smith and Michelle Sigona are the development producers. Hannah Vair is the field producer. Mike Baluzy, Marlon Disla and James Taylor are the editors. Anthony Batson is the senior broadcaster producer. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Judy Tygard is the executive producer.

Follow 48 HOURS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Listen to podcasts at CBSAudio.

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