Murder of Destiny Norton

Destiny Norton
Born Destiny Anne Norton
(2000-11-30)November 30, 2000
Died July 16, 2006 (age 5)
Salt Lake City, Utah
Nationality American
Parents
  • Ricky Norton (father)
  • Rachael Norton (mother)

Destiny Anne Norton (November 30, 2000 – July 16, 2006)[1] was a victim of kidnapping and murder.

Murder

Until her death, she lived in Salt Lake City, Utah. On July 16, 2006, she disappeared from her home. Her body was found fewer than 100 feet from her home in the basement of her neighbor, 20-year-old Craig Roger Gregerson.

She was last seen as she left her home after arguing with her parents about going to bed. She lived in a small ranch house with her parents, and about ten other couples and friends who shared the house for economic reasons.

Volunteers posted missing posters throughout Salt Lake City, describing her several silver capped teeth on the bottom row of her mouth, blonde hair and green eyes, and dressed in a grey shirt with black stripes.

Investigation

After a massive eight-day search by about 5,000 community volunteers, FBI and police, Destiny's body was found on July 24, 2006, less than 100 feet from her home in the basement of her neighbor, 20-year-old Craig Roger Gregerson.[2] Family and friends were initially outraged after the search ended, and accused authorities of mishandling the investigation. An apology on behalf of the family and friends was later issued in a press conference.

Aftermath

Gregerson was formally charged on July 27, 2006 with kidnapping and aggravated murder. He waived his rights to a speedy trial, and later waived his rights to a preliminary hearing which had originally been scheduled for October 3 and October 4, 2006.[3] In a plea bargain to avoid the death penalty, he pleaded guilty to capital murder and child kidnapping on December 4, and was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder, and fifteen years to life for the kidnapping. The sentences will be served consecutively.[4]

In 2007, the Destiny Search Project[5] was formed in memory of Destiny Norton. The group is organized to assist with volunteer operations in missing persons cases.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Destiny Norton - Found a Grave". Found a Grave. Retrieved 2017-08-25.
  2. ↑ "Destiny Norton Found Dead, Suspect Arrested". KSL.com. July 25, 2006. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  3. ↑ "October Preliminary Hearing Set For Gregerson". kutv.com. August 7, 2006. Archived from the original on 12 March 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  4. ↑ Ben Winslow (5 December 2006). "Gregerson pleads guilty, gets life for killing Destiny". Desert News. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  5. ↑ "Destiny Search Project".
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