Handyman charged with murder and kidnapping in death of Tenino woman

A handyman is facing a number of charges in connection with the death of a Tenino woman, whose remains were found partially encased in concrete on a property in Olympia by local authorities less than two weeks after she was reported missing.

Jeffrey Kian Zizz is charged with murder in the first degree, kidnapping in the first degree and unlawful disposal of human remains, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said. He is suspected of killing Marcia Norman, 82, earlier this month.

Zizz appeared in Thurston County Superior Court before Judge Mary Sue Wilson for a preliminary hearing on Monday, April 21. Zizz is being held without bail in Thurston County Jail. 

Additional charges may follow as the investigation continues.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the Norman family during this unimaginable loss. Despite their grief, the family has been actively engaged, supportive, and helpful throughout the investigation,” the sheriff’s office said in an update in the case on Sunday, April 20.

Her family also issued a statement on Sunday.

"Our family has experienced the loss of our center. Marcia was the one that brought us together. We are thankful for the efforts of law enforcement, the Thurston County Sheriff's Office and the Missoula
Police Department in their handling of this matter," the Norman family said.

"We are cooperating fully with the investigation in an effort to come to a resolution regarding the manner of her death. Our family is grieving
and looking for ways to honor her memory. Marcia was an engaged member of her community and family, full of life with plans for the future. She is loved by many."

Norman, 82, vanished earlier this month from her residence near McIntosh Lake. Her family said they had not heard from Norman since April 1.

An investigation into the disappearance of Norman by sheriff’s office detectives turned up evidence that eventually led authorities to discover her remains.

She was last known to have had dinner with Zizz, her handyman, at her residence on April 1. 

Zizz, a convicted child molester who was identified as a person of interest early on in the case, left the state in the aftermath of Norman’s disappearance but was later arrested on an outstanding warrant at a motel in Missoula, Montana, by Missoula Police Department personnel. 

“Detectives discovered Zizz recently built a shed on an unrelated property in Olympia the day after Marcia Norman was reported missing. On April 9th, (detectives) obtained power equipment to move the shed and excavate the ground beneath it,” the sheriff’s office said in an update on the case on April 15.

“Detectives discovered human remains buried under the shed and partially encased in concrete. On April 10th, the Thurston County Coroner’s Office confirmed the remains were those of Marcia Norman.”