Digest

This podcast tells the story of Pam Pitts, a young woman who disappeared in 1988, and the investigation that led to the arrest of her roommate, Shelley Norgard, for her murder. The podcast begins with the discovery of Pam's body, burned beyond recognition, in a forest outside of Prescott, Arizona. Investigators quickly determine that Pam was the victim of a homicide, but the cause of death is unknown. The investigation leads them to Shelley, who had a tumultuous relationship with Pam and had made comments about knowing how to dispose of a body. Shelley's alibi for the night of Pam's disappearance is shaky, and her boyfriend, Ray Crookes, is also found dead in a mineshaft. Shelley's fingerprints are found on a flashlight in the mineshaft, and evidence of Ray's body being stored in her car trunk is discovered. Shelley is arrested for Ray's murder and eventually pleads guilty. After years of investigation, Shelley is finally arrested for Pam's murder in 2017. She confesses to the crime, stating that she got into a fight with Pam and accidentally killed her. Shelley is released from custody in 2021 after serving 20 years for Ray's murder and receiving credit for the time she spent in jail awaiting trial for Pam's murder. The podcast concludes with Pam's father reflecting on the case and expressing his desire for justice for his daughter.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the podcast "Even the Royals" and its focus on the darker side of royal families. It also mentions the podcast "Uninterrupted" and its focus on junior tennis players.

00:00:17

The Disappearance of Pam Pitts

This Chapter details the disappearance of Pam Pitts, a 19-year-old Prescott resident, in September 1988. Pam's father, Paul, reports her missing after she fails to show up for work. The investigation begins with the discovery of Pam's burned body in a forest outside of Prescott. The cause of death is unknown, but investigators suspect foul play.

00:02:11

The Investigation Begins

This Chapter focuses on the early stages of the investigation into Pam's murder. Investigators begin by interviewing Pam's family and friends, including her roommate, Shelley Norgard. Shelley's alibi for the night of Pam's disappearance is questioned, and her boyfriend, Ray Crookes, is also investigated.

00:21:50

The Search for Evidence

This Chapter details the ongoing investigation into Pam's murder. Investigators search Shelley and Pam's apartment, but find no evidence. They also interview local teens who attended a party at the site where Pam's body was found, but no witnesses can confirm seeing Pam at the party. Rumors of satanic cult activity at the party site are investigated, but no evidence is found.

00:25:06

A New Lead Emerges

This Chapter describes a new lead in the investigation. Investigators learn about a fight between Pam and a local teen, Melinda Perry, at the party where Pam's body was found. Melinda is questioned, but her alibi checks out. She is later arrested for perjury after making inconsistent statements to the grand jury, but the charges are eventually dropped.

00:29:09

A Shocking Discovery

This Chapter details the discovery of Ray Crookes' body in a mineshaft. Ray was Shelley's boyfriend and had been missing for several weeks. The coroner determines that Ray was shot in the head. Shelley's fingerprints are found on a flashlight in the mineshaft, and evidence of Ray's body being stored in her car trunk is discovered. Shelley is arrested for Ray's murder.

00:35:57

Shelley's Confession

This Chapter describes the reopening of Pam's case in 2011. Investigators re-interview Shelley, hoping to get her to incriminate herself. After years of investigation, Shelley is finally arrested for Pam's murder in 2017. She confesses to the crime, stating that she got into a fight with Pam and accidentally killed her. Shelley is released from custody in 2021 after serving 20 years for Ray's murder and receiving credit for the time she spent in jail awaiting trial for Pam's murder.

Keywords

Q&A

• What happened to Pam Pitts?

  Pam Pitts, a 19-year-old Prescott resident, disappeared in September 1988. Her body was found burned beyond recognition in a forest outside of Prescott. She was the victim of a homicide, and her roommate, Shelley Norgard, was eventually convicted of her murder.

• Who was Shelley Norgard?

  Shelley Norgard was Pam Pitts' roommate and was eventually convicted of her murder. She was also convicted of the murder of her boyfriend, Ray Crookes, who was found dead in a mineshaft. Shelley had a tumultuous relationship with Pam and had made comments about knowing how to dispose of a body. She confessed to Pam's murder, stating that she got into a fight with Pam and accidentally killed her.

• How was Shelley Norgard connected to Pam Pitts' murder?

  Shelley's alibi for the night of Pam's disappearance was shaky, and she had made comments about knowing how to dispose of a body. Her boyfriend, Ray Crookes, was also found dead in a mineshaft, and Shelley's fingerprints were found on a flashlight in the mineshaft. Evidence of Ray's body being stored in her car trunk was also discovered. After years of investigation, Shelley was finally arrested for Pam's murder in 2017. She confessed to the crime, stating that she got into a fight with Pam and accidentally killed her.

• What happened to Ray Crookes?

  Ray Crookes was Shelley Norgard's boyfriend and was found dead in a mineshaft. He was missing for several weeks before his body was discovered. Shelley was convicted of his murder. Ray was planning on moving back to California and was not going to take Shelley with him, which led to a confrontation between the two.

• Why was Pam Pitts' case a cold case for so long?

  Pam Pitts' case was a cold case for many years because investigators were unable to find enough evidence to connect Shelley Norgard to the crime. The case was reopened in 2011, and Shelley was finally arrested and convicted in 2017.

• What was the outcome of Shelley Norgard's trial for Pam Pitts' murder?

  Shelley Norgard was convicted of Pam Pitts' murder in 2021. She confessed to the crime, stating that she got into a fight with Pam and accidentally killed her. She was released from custody after serving 20 years for Ray Crookes' murder and receiving credit for the time she spent in jail awaiting trial for Pam's murder.

• How did Pam Pitts' family feel about the outcome of the case?

  Pam Pitts' family was relieved that Shelley Norgard was finally convicted of her murder, but they felt that she got off easy. They were glad that she was in jail because at least then she couldn't kill anybody else.

• What was the impact of Shelley Norgard's crimes on the people who knew her?

  Shelley Norgard's crimes had a devastating impact on the people who knew her. Pam Pitts' family was heartbroken by her murder, and Ray Crookes' family was also devastated by his death. The podcast highlights the lasting impact of Shelley's crimes on the lives of those who were close to her victims.

• What lessons can be learned from Pam Pitts' case?

  Pam Pitts' case is a reminder that even seemingly ordinary people can be capable of committing terrible crimes. It also highlights the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity, as investigators worked for over two decades to bring Shelley Norgard to justice. The case also underscores the importance of listening to victims and their families, as Pam's father's persistence in seeking justice for his daughter ultimately led to Shelley's conviction.

• What is the significance of the podcast's title, "Even the Royals"?

  The podcast's title, "Even the Royals", is a play on the idea that even seemingly perfect families can have dark secrets. The podcast explores the darker side of royal families, but it also applies to ordinary families as well. The case of Pam Pitts and Shelley Norgard is a reminder that even seemingly ordinary people can be capable of committing terrible crimes.

Show Notes