A convicted child sex offender is under investigation after the body of an elderly woman who vanished earlier this month was found buried and “encased in concrete” beneath a shed he allegedly built.
Marcia Norman, 82, from Washington state, was reported missing on April 4. For nearly two weeks, her family and local authorities searched desperately for answers – until a chilling discovery was made last week.
According to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Department, Norman’s remains were found “buried under the shed and partially encased in concrete” at a property in Olympia. Investigators say the shed had been hastily constructed the day after Norman was reported missing.
The man now at the centre of the investigation is 47-year-old Jeffrey Zizz – Norman’s former handyman and a disgraced ex-pastor with a deeply disturbing criminal past.
Zizz, who previously worked at Calvary Chapel of North Thurston, was convicted in 2022 of two counts of second-degree child molestation involving victims aged between 12 and 14. He also admitted to contacting a minor for immoral purposes.
Though sentenced to over eight years behind bars, Zizz served just 11 months before being released into a treatment programme under strict conditions – one of which forbade him from leaving Washington state.
But after Norman’s disappearance, Zizz fled across state lines and was eventually tracked down in Missoula, Montana, where he was arrested on an unrelated sex offence.
He has since been extradited back to Washington and is currently being held in Thurston County Jail with no bail, pending further investigation.
“Zizz remains the primary person of interest in the ongoing investigation,” the sheriff’s office said. “Detectives are continuing to work closely with both the Thurston County Prosecutor’s and Coroner’s Offices.”
An attorney for Zizz has not commented publicly on the case. Norman’s death has sent shockwaves through the community.
Described by neighbours as kind-hearted and independent, the 82-year-old had relied on Zizz for handyman tasks around her property.
Despite not yet being formally charged in Norman’s death, Zizz may face a lengthy return to prison if he is found to have violated the conditions of his release.
As forensic teams continue to gather evidence, Marcia Norman’s devastated family is left grappling with the horrifying truth of her final days – and the grim betrayal by someone once trusted to help her. The disappearance was immediately treated as suspicious by detectives.
While examining Norman’s home, officials observed conditions suggesting she may have left in a hurry. Dishes in the sink were halfway done. Both her cars were still parked outside.
Her family reported her missing after failing to hear from her since April 1. The investigation remains ongoing.
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