More details are emerging regarding the brutal death of an 82-year-old Washington state lady who was discovered buried in concrete inside a shed, prompting the arrest of her handyman.
According to a previous statement from the Thurston County Sheriff, Marcia Norman was reported missing from her residence in Tenino, Washington, on April 4.
The next day, her body was discovered in a shed in Olympia’s garden, bound with tape and showing indications of severe torture.
Jeffrey Zizz, her handyman, has been charged with murder in connection to her death.
According to the sheriff’s statement, Zizz, 47, is believed to be the last person to see Norman after they had dinner on April 1.
Authorities investigating the elderly grandmother’s disappearance discovered her home in “suspicious circumstances,” and finally named Zizz a person of interest.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are providing more about the circumstances surrounding Norman’s death, and Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock has described it as the “worst case I’ve witnessed,” according to reports.
“Her onset from injury to death was not instant. It was hours,” he said.
He claimed Norman was restrained with Velcro straps and tortured with a nail gun. Authorities believe she died as a result of severe force trauma and piercing brain injuries. She also suffered blunt force injuries to her torso, Warnock reported.
Zizz was arrested days later in Missoula, Montana, on an unrelated probation violation.
While conducting a search warrant at his residence, authorities discovered a five-page letter alleging Zizz “meticulously planned” the sexual assault of a lady he referred to as “customer,” according to court documents.
Sheriff Derek Sanders reported that there are “similarities” between what was said in the letter and the evidence revealed in Norman’s case.
Investigators also discovered that months before her disappearance, Norman awoke in the middle of the night to find Zizz at the foot of her bed, according to an arrest report.
She allegedly told him off, telling him it was unacceptable and that he needed to maintain professional boundaries if he wanted to continue working for her, Norman’s son told police.
Zizz allegedly told authorities about this during the murder inquiry.
According to a statement prepared by her family and posted by the sheriff’s office, Norman is remembered as “the one that brought us together” and “full of life with plans for the future.”
According to a statement released by the Thurston County Sheriff, Zizz has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, and improper disposal of human remains.
Online court records did not include information on the counsel or the plea.