Missing 82-Year-Old Marcia Norman Found Deceased Beneath Shed — Details
Marcia Norman and an unidentified gentleman, 2017 | Source: Facebook.com/Marcia Norman.
An elderly woman vanished without a trace at the start of the month. Authorities tracked the case to one suspect — a man previously convicted and connected to the pensioner.
According to reports, Washington state authorities discovered the remains of 82-year-old Marcia Norman this week after she was reported missing. The condition of her house offered some insight into the nature of her departure.
Norman’s remains were discovered buried beneath a shed, partially encased in concrete. The find came after the grandmother’s family reported her missing to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) on April 4, 2025.
Speaking to the sheriff’s office, her relatives said they had not heard from her since April 1. A TCSO statement also noted that her vehicles were still parked at her residence.
Authorities suspected that she left abruptly based on how her house looked, with dirty dishes still in the kitchen. TCSO detectives soon identified her handyman, Jeffrey Zizz, 47, as a person of interest before shifting their focus squarely on him.
Zizz became a suspect after it emerged that he had dinner with Norman the night she disappeared. He was believed to be the last person to have seen her. Investigators obtained a search warrant for a shed he had constructed at an unrelated property in Olympia.
He had built the shed the day before Norman was reported missing. On April 9, authorities relocated the structure and began excavating beneath it. There, they found human remains buried and partially encased in concrete.
The next day, the Thurston County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the remains belonged to Norman. A sheriff’s office statement alleged that the suspect fled the state, violating conditions tied to a prior, unrelated child molestation conviction.
Montana authorities later arrested Zizz for the violation at a motel in Missoula, Montana, and he was extradited to Washington. In a statement, sheriff’s officials said, “Zizz remains the primary person of interest in the ongoing investigation, and detectives are continuing to work closely with both the Thurston County Prosecutor’s and Coroner’s offices.”.
Currently, the suspect remains in custody at the Thurston County Jail under a no-bail hold as authorities continue to gather evidence. As of April 16, Zizz had not been charged in connection with Norman’s disappearance.
Norman had a Facebook account where she often shared personal experiences and expressed love for her granddaughter. In 2017, she posted a playful photo of the young girl enjoying a makeshift water sprinkler.
The sprinkler was crafted from a Coca-Cola two-liter bottle punctured with holes and attached to a water feature. The child, wearing swimming goggles, beamed as she played in the water in the garden.
A year later, Norman shared how she was still enjoying life by posting vacation images from Cuba and the Caribbean. She captioned the post, “Wonderful trip to Cuba/Caribbean.” In some pictures, she posed with an unidentified man; in others, she highlighted the beautiful scenery she encountered during her travels.
The tragic outcome of Norman’s disappearance has left the community shaken. As the investigation continues, her memory lives on through her loved ones and the life she cherished.
Unfortunately, Norman isn’t the only person in recent days who’s gone missing, only to be discovered dead. As previously reported, the Vick family is reeling following the loss of their young daughter, Gracelyn Vick, who was found dead just hours after going missing.
On April 13, 2025, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office shared a devastating update following search-and-rescue efforts for six-year-old Gracelyn Vick, also known as Gracie.
County deputies had responded to a missing person’s report in the area of F Taylor Road and Saucier Farley Road. Gracelyn’s family stated that she went out to play in their front yard around 12 noon and disappeared shortly after.
A screengrab from a video news report about Gracelyn Vick. | Source: YouTube/WLOX News.
She was last seen wearing a white shirt and pink shorts, with no shoes. The sheriff’s office began searching using ATV’s, a helicopter, and on foot with volunteers.
A screengrab from a video news report about Gracelyn Vick. | Source: YouTube/WLOX News.
Acadian Medical, Harrison County Fire, and Gulf Coast Rescue were also on the scene. Unfortunately, at around 6 p.m., Gracelyn’s lifeless body was discovered near her family property.
A screengrab from a video news report about Gracelyn Vick. | Source: YouTube/WLOX News.
Currently, no arrests have been made, and authorities have yet to rule out foul play. Gracelyn’s cause of death is also yet to be determined; however, an autopsy was performed on Monday (April 14, 2025) at the state lab in Biloxi.
Alongside the sheriff’s department, the Harrison County Coroner’s office is working to analyze the results, which will determine the direction of the investigation as it continues.
Gracelyn’s death comes after she lost her older sister, Victoria Hutcherson, in March 2024. Victoria had been a passenger in a minivan that crashed into a dump truck while crossing U.S. 49. She was 13.
Their aunt, Jackie Polk, said Gracelyn’s spirits were “broken” over Victoria’s passing. Jackie has also been vocal about Gracelyn’s case since she went missing.
“MY NIECE IS MISSING PLEASE HELP FIND HER LAST SEEN AT 16040 F Taylor Rd. Saucier MS about 2 hours ago. Gracelynn Vick 6 years old. Last seen wearing Pink shorts and white top with flowers,” she urged on Facebook hours before Gracelyn was found.
“Anybody with wildlife cameras, ring cameras, security cameras on Saucier Fairley Road F Taylor Road Blackwell Farm Road please save your data. Save it. We may need it for my niece. Any video from today!!!!” she continued.
Following the devastating end of the search efforts, Jackie expressed her gratitude for all those who showed concern and lent a helping hand during her family’s time of need.
“Thank you to all of the first responders and search teams that showed up for Gracie @ Gracelynn Heritage Farms. We are overwhelmed with your love and concern for our family at this time,” she wrote.
Gracelynn Heritage Farms is a farm run by Gracelyn’s mother. “Please continue to pray for us. We have a long road ahead of us,” Jackie concluded.
Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be the last time Jackie addresses the public about Gracelyn’s case. “People are getting on all platforms of social media and saying horrible things about my family. A lot of accusations & assumptions have been made,” she began.
She continued, explaining that she and her family were incredibly traumatized and trying to keep themselves together as they navigate “another horrible thing.”.
“We are aware of all of the wild narratives and some of us have even assumed in a moment things we should not have. The human mind is [trying] to come to some level of rationale. That is impossible amid trauma,” she said, adding that “investigators are working diligently to find all the possible answers.”.
Jackie also leans on her faith during this trying time. “Please know that God is on the scene, because His word is true and He is faithful to get us through this,” she stated, concluding that her family will know more later this week.
Veteran and journalist E Brian Rose, who closely followed Gracelyn’s case and was among those spreading the word about her disappearance, shared an emotional post since she was found dead.
“I had been gathering information all afternoon in hopes of writing a news story with a happy ending. It has been very emotional speaking with those close and collecting pictures of Gracie. I started to feel like I knew her and was very optimistic this would be a happy story ending,” he wrote.
“I have a daughter close to Gracie’s age and I, like many of you, am not ok right now. Please keep her loved ones in your thoughts and prayers as they face this unimaginable loss. Rest in peace, Gracie,” he concluded.
AmoMama sends its condolences to both families.