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Body of 82-year-old Washington woman is found encased in concrete. ‘Person of interest’ handyman arrested

Police say they found Marcia Norman’s body under a shed her handyman had recently built

Michelle Del Rey
in Washington, DC
Wednesday 16 April 2025 22:35 BST
Marcia Norman, 82, disappeared earlier this month. Officials say they recently found her body encased in concrete
Marcia Norman, 82, disappeared earlier this month. Officials say they recently found her body encased in concrete (Thurston County Sheriff's Office)

The remains of an 82-year-old woman missing since earlier this month was discovered encased in concrete.

Marcia Norman was last seen on April 1 at her home near Tenino, Washington. She had dinner that day with her handyman, who is believed to be the last person who saw her alive.

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.

The handyman, Jeffrey Zizz, 47, was declared a “person of interest” in the case and later fled the state, violating the requirements of a prior sentence. The Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office obtained a warrant to arrest him for the sentencing violation on an unrelated child molestation charge. He was taken into custody in Missoula, Montana.

Jeffrey Zizz, 47, has been arrested after police reported they found Norman's body under a shed he built
Jeffrey Zizz, 47, has been arrested after police reported they found Norman's body under a shed he built (Thurston County Sheriff's Office)

Officials later discovered that he had built a shed on a property in Olympia the day after Norman went missing. On April 9, investigators moved the shed and excavated the ground beneath on April 9 and discovered human remains beneath the shed that were partially encased in concrete. Officials confirmed the following day that the remains were those of Norman.

Zizz was extradited to Washington on April 13. He remains in Thurston County Jail without bond on the sex charge as officials continue working to gather evidence on Norman’s death.

Officials did not release additional details, and said information would be forthcoming.

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