The discovery of the remains of an 82-year-old woman in Olympia, Washington, has brought a tragic turn to a missing persons case. Less than a week after her family reported her disappearance, authorities found Maria Norman’s remains encased in concrete inside a shed on a property linked to her handyman, Jeffrey Zizz. The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office named Zizz, age 47, as a person of interest. He is currently held in Thurston County Jail due to a “child molestation sentencing violation,” as shared by the sheriff’s office.
Norman was last seen on April 1 at her residence near Tenino, following an alleged dinner with Zizz. After not hearing from her for several days, her family reported her missing on April 4. Zizz, who had fled the state, was apprehended in Missoula, Montana, related to an unrelated “sex offense” and subsequently extradited to Washington for further legal proceedings. He remains in custody without the possibility of bail as detectives continue to collect evidence related to Norman’s case.
Previously, Zizz served as a pastor at Calvary Chapel of North Thurston in Lacey, Washington, until his 2021 arrest on nine criminal charges, including incest, rape of a child, and molestation. In 2022, he pled guilty to two counts of second-degree child molestation and one count of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes. Zizz was sentenced to 104 months in prison and was released after 11 months to attend a treatment program, which mandated that he remain in Washington state.
Regardless of any charges that may be brought against him concerning Norman’s death, Zizz still faces 93 months of confinement for allegedly violating the terms of his conditional release from the 2022 convictions.
Impact on Daily Life
This unsettling case has significant implications for community trust and safety in Olympia and beyond. The revelation of a former pastor involved in such grave offenses might shake the faith of many in both public figures and those holding positions of trust. This could lead to increased scrutiny and demand for transparency within local organizations and institutions to ensure public safety.
For residents in the area, the incident underscores the importance of vigilance and community engagement in supporting law enforcement efforts and fostering a safer environment. It also highlights the critical need for strong oversight mechanisms to monitor individuals on conditional release, ensuring compliance with legal requirements designed to protect society. The community’s response to such events may influence future policies and procedures regarding conditional releases and community safety measures.