The man considered a “person of interest” in the death of a Tenino woman earlier this month is now facing three charges related to her demise and disappearance, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office announced Sunday afternoon.
Jeffrey Zizz, 47, previously identified by the sheriff’s office as Marcia Norman’s handyman, was booked Sunday on suspicion of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and unlawful disposal of human remains, all in connection with Norman’s death.
Additional charges might follow as the investigation continues, the sheriff’s office said in its news release.
Although Zizz is facing fresh charges in Norman’s case, he was already in the county jail for violating his suspended sentence in a separate sex offense case, The Olympian reported.
Norman, 82, went missing April 1 and the sheriff’s office had been investigating her disappearance since April 4. Her remains were recently found buried under a shed in Olympia, The Olympian reported.
“During the investigation, detectives learned Zizz recently built a shed at an ‘unrelated property’ in Olympia the day after Norman went missing,” according to The Olympian report.
“Detectives obtained power equipment to move the shed and excavate the ground underneath on April 9. There, they found human remains partially encased in concrete. The release says the Thurston County Coroner’s Office confirmed the remains were those of Norman the next day,” The Olympian reported.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the Norman family during this unimaginable loss,” the sheriff’s office said in its Sunday release. “Despite their grief, the family has been actively engaged, supportive and helpful throughout the investigation.”
The sheriff’s office thanked several other law enforcement agencies for their role in the investigation, including Olympia police, the state Department of Corrections and several law enforcement groups in Montana.
Zizz was extradited from Montana to Washington state on April 13.
Zizz is expected in court Monday afternoon. A press conference is set for 5 p.m. with Sheriff Derek Sanders, county Prosecutor Jon Tunheim and Coroner Gary Warnock.
© 2025 The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.). Visit www.TheNewsTribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
