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Destiny found dead
Police arrest a man living next door

By Nate Carlisle
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune

Eight days after 5-year-old Destiny Norton disappeared from her front yard, police discovered her body in the basement of a man who lives next door.

Craig Roger Gregerson, 20, was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Monday night on suspicion of homicide.

After Salt Lake City police Chief Chris Burbank made the announcement, a crowd of about 200 gathered outside Destiny's home near 700 South and 500 East, where police were still present and yellow tape sealed off the yard and driveway. Some residents questioned how the search for the girl could have gone so wrong, and how investigators could have missed something so close.

Many in the crowd shouted profanity at police and reporters. They also wept and hugged each other.

"They told us they searched these buildings four f------ times," Norton family spokeswoman Jeannie Hill said of police. "They did not do their jobs."

"The police told me if I didn't stop going into buildings, I was going to be arrested," shouted Peter Brooks, who called himself Destiny's uncle. At one point, Brooks, who was in the parking lot of an LDS church across the street from the Nortons' home, fell to his knees weeping.

Around midnight, Burbank arrived to try calming the crowd.

The discovery, made about 8:30 p.m., capped a day of hope for Rickey and Rachael Norton, Destiny's parents. Early in the day, volunteer and law enforcement officials marched along the route of the Pioneer Day parade, passing out fliers with the girl's picture. Later, police and the FBI said they were investigating a possible sighting of Destiny at a Smith's Conoco gas station in Farmington. Investigators also released a composite sketch of a man reportedly driving a black Dodge pickup with a girl matching Destiny's description inside.

"I think most of us feel quite strongly that we're very close," Hill said Monday night, about two hours before Burbank's announcement.

Burbank answered few questions. He said police served a search warrant on the house Monday night. But it was unknown how detectives discovered the body or what lead them to Gregerson.

It also was unknown if the sketch released earlier in the day and the tip Destiny was seen in Farmington had any connection to Gregerson.

Destiny went missing July 16 from her home at 721 S. 500 East. Thousands of volunteers searched the city for her and distributed her photograph on fliers throughout the state. Meanwhile, police investigated the possibility she was abducted. Until the Farmington tip, there had been no sightings of Destiny deemed credible.

For Utah, the ordeal conjured images of previous searches - successful and unsuccessful. Those who searched or lent support included the families of Lori Hacking, Garrett Bardsley, Brennan Hawkins and Elizabeth Smart. Like those searches, this one gained national attention. Earlier Monday night, Rachael Norton appeared on the CNN Headline News show "Nancy Grace."

Gregerson's home in the 500 block of East Elwood Place was sealed with yellow police tape Monday night. Police towed away a gray Volkswagen Jetta parked nearby.

A search of Internet court records in Utah did not reveal any criminal convictions for Gregerson. Salt Lake County officials reported he was booked into jail in December 2004 on suspicion of domestic assault, but it was unknown Monday how that case was adjudicated.

In February, Gregerson sought a protective order against a woman with the same last name, court records show. The following month, a 3rd District judge granted the woman's motion to terminate the order.

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Destiny remembered: Hundreds gather at funeral for girl who touched many

By Ben Winslow
Deseret Morning News

Destiny loved to express herself.

"She was a very brilliant little girl," said her mother, Rachael Norton. "She had high dreams in life. She wanted to become a veterinarian. She loved everything. She loved animals. She loved nature. She loved people in general."

Family and friends who gathered for the murdered 5-year-old's funeral on Saturday told of a little girl who would put on her "princess dress" and dance to music.

She hugged people tightly. When Destiny smiled, she beamed, revealing a row of silver-capped teeth.

"How do you describe such a wonderful gift to this world?" said family friend Jenniece Whitaker, wiping tears from her face. "She had the most amazing smile."

Hundreds came to the Norton family's LDS Church meetinghouse at 700 South and 500 East on Saturday to pay their respects to the little girl who prompted a massive eight-day community search — only to be found murdered two doors away from her home.

"We all loved Destiny very, very much," said family friend John Flores.

At the funeral, members of the little girl's LDS Primary class sang "Holding Hands Around the World," a song Destiny had sung in church just a week before she vanished.

Many couldn't bring themselves to sit through the entire service. Among them was Destiny's uncle, Peter Brooks.

"It was the most beautiful service I have ever seen in my life, but I can't sit in there," he told the Deseret Morning News. "It's too much to take."

After the funeral, family and friends had a tree planted in the midst of five grown maple trees outside the church, as a symbolic gesture.

"She is now in the hollow of the Lord's hand," said Bishop Bill Silver, the family's LDS ward bishop and a Salt Lake police detective

Destiny's father, Ricky Norton, was the first to take a shovel and place a mound of dirt at the base of the tree. He was followed by dozens of family and friends who each picked up the shovel and spread some dirt.

Across the street from the church is the home the Nortons lived in when Destiny vanished. Two doors away is the apartment of accused killer Craig Roger Gregerson, where her body was found.

Outside the Norton home, a shrine to Destiny was filled with burning candles, flowers, balloons and stuffed animals.

Speaking to Ricky and Rachael Norton during the funeral service, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson said the community had grown to love Destiny.

"The community came to feel in many ways like Destiny was theirs as well," Anderson said.

Friends said Destiny's death had reunited Ricky Norton with a mother and sister he hadn't seen since he was 14.

Also among those in attendance at the funeral were police detectives and FBI agents who worked on the case and volunteer searchers who looked for Destiny.

"Our hearts and love go out to this family," Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank told the Deseret Morning News as he left the funeral. "We really became part of their family as a police department."

Elizabeth Smart, who was kidnapped from her home in 2002 and found nine months later, was in attendance with her family. Members of the Smart family helped in the search for Destiny.

Keith Johnson, Deseret Morning NewsRachael and Ricky Norton console each other at funeral Saturday in Salt Lake City for their daughter Destiny. Destiny's parents were surrounded by family, both blood relatives and adopted "street family." A group of people who grew up on the streets like the Nortons, they put in hundreds of hours searching for the little girl.

Their tattoos, piercings and unusual clothing may have startled some, but Silver said those people gave everything to find Destiny.

"If there is any question as to whether or not this community can overcome differences," he said, "I think this case is proof they can."

Family friends said Ricky Norton could not bring himself to watch his daughter's tiny silvery-pink casket being brought to the cemetery. He stayed in the back with a group of his family and friends.

"It was his baby," family friend Jeannie Hill said. "He is just so heartbroken."

Rachael Norton sat next to the casket, surrounded by family and friends. She sobbed as the pallbearers brought the casket in front of her, a bouquet of pink roses with Destiny's picture clipped to it.

About a dozen members of the group Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) walked up to the casket and placed a denim vest on it. Then, one by one, pink roses and carnations were placed on it.

People hugged, cried and tried to console each other as they tried to explain the tragedy that had taken place. Children who played with Destiny cried when they were told that their friend was dead and would not be coming back.

Destiny's uncle Jody Emery was a pallbearer, carrying her pink casket out of the church into the hearse and then to its grave site in Holladay. He wore a pink carnation pinned to his lapel and a black armband with "Destiny" written on it in pink.
Destiny Norton

"Why's there gotta be such monsters in the world?" he asked. "I'm glad she's in a better place."

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Sorrow for Destiny: Man accused in her slaying had participated in search

Deseret Morning News
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
By Ben Winslow and Pat Reavy


The man accused of killing 5-year-old Destiny Norton was one of the hundreds of people who ventured out into the hot summer temperatures to search for the missing girl.

It wasn't until days later that Salt Lake City police found Destiny's body inside Craig Roger Gregerson's apartment — just two doors from her home.

"After knowing what he did, he was still there," searcher Stephanie Archuleta said. Others confirmed to the Deseret Morning News that Gregerson participated in the search effort, handing out fliers and claiming to be looking for the girl.

Investigators believe Destiny was standing barefoot outside her family's home on the warm summer evening of July 16. The little girl with blond hair and a mischievous smile filled with silver teeth had just finished a bath when she went outside.

Police said Gregerson spotted her — and that minutes later she was dead.

According to a police booking report from the Salt Lake County Jail, Gregerson opened the gate to the back yard and lured Destiny into his house.

"The juvenile female began to scream. Suspect Gregerson put his hand over the juvenile's mouth and began to squeeze. The juvenile female went limp and suspect Gregerson laid her body on the floor," the jail probable cause statement said.

Police found Destiny's body in the basement of an apartment just two doors from her home Monday night. Officers arrested Gregerson on investigation of kidnapping and murder.

Destiny's family was both devastated and enraged by the news.

"This was a 5-year-old child," Destiny's uncle, Peter Brooks, said, seething. "That is cold-blooded murder!"

Gregerson, 20, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail at 1:42 a.m. Tuesday on investigation of criminal homicide and child kidnapping. He is being held without bail. Gregerson was being kept in a cell by himself in an area reserved for prisoners that need to be isolated for their own protection, jail officials said.

Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank said the man they arrested was cooperating. An autopsy was performed on Destiny on Tuesday. The Salt Lake District Attorney's Office is expected to begin screening some of the case against Gregerson today or tomorrow.

"We will be soon," assistant district attorney Bob Stott said.

'It's closure'

Destiny's parents spent the day in seclusion. Tuesday was the birthday of Ricky and Rachael Norton's daughter Trinity, who turned 1. They spent part of the day holding a small birthday celebration for her.

"They were trying to keep a happy face on for the baby," said Donna Archuleta, who attended the party.

Rachael Norton is 8 1/2 months pregnant with their third child, whom Destiny had already named "Fate LeeAnn" Norton.

Brooks told the Deseret Morning News that he had spoken to Ricky Norton.

"He's dealing with it in his own way," he said. "Rick told me, 'It's closure.' "

Outside the Norton home near 700 South and 500 East, Destiny's family and friends held on to each other and sobbed. Some were too stunned to speak and sat around the home.

"They're all just kind of lost," said Archuleta, the "street mom" for the Norton family. Many of the people in the Norton home once lived on the streets and were trying to bring themselves up in the world. Ricky Norton had been baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just the day before his daughter vanished.

Dozens of people showed up to place flowers, cards and stuffed animals in front of the family's home on Tuesday. Some lit candles in front of a framed flier showing Destiny's picture that read: "In Memory of Destiny Ann Norton. Thanks to all the volunteers and all the support we received. God Bless."

Police criticized

Some signs placed around the family's home blasted Salt Lake City police and the FBI for their handling of the case. "Way to Go SLPD. You messed up" read one sign that a man held by the street. He jeered every time a police car would drive by on 500 East.

Some demanded to know why the police didn't pursue a search warrant if Gregerson refused to allow police to search his apartment.

"They screwed up and they screwed up big!" screamed family friend Jeannie Hill. "The Salt Lake City Police Department screwed up!"

Despite numerous questions about the search, what led police to Gregerson and whether his apartment had been searched before Monday, Salt Lake City police said little.

There are conflicting reports about whether Gregerson allowed his apartment to be searched or if he refused to give consent for a police search. Detective Robin Snyder said if Gregerson refused a search, that would not have been enough probable cause to make him a suspect or get a judge to sign a warrant.

"We've got to follow the search and seizure laws of the Constitution to a T. You cannot violate those or you lose everything," she said. "If we would have found her without probable cause, the evidence would have been thrown out. You got to have probable cause. You have to convince a judge there is enough evidence that what you are looking for is inside."

But neighbor Dylan Wood said he watched as police searched his and Gregerson's apartments, just after Destiny vanished. They were questioned by FBI agents.

"We're sitting out here at the picnic table talking with him and the federal marshals and everything," he said. "We all filled out questionnaires together."

A history of violence

Gregerson's estranged wife, Catherine "Cadie" Gregerson, said she did not believe he could have killed the little girl, saying she would remain supportive of her husband. She said as much when she called a talk show on KSL Radio.

"If he's guilty, I'm not going to stand by him," she told the Deseret Morning News afterward. "If he's not, I'll still stand by him."

Cadie Gregerson went near her estranged husband's house on Tuesday, surrounded by several police officers. She waited across the street as officers retrieved mail. The Gregersons have a 1-year-old daughter, but Cadie Gregerson does not live with her husband.

Throughout the week, Wood saw Gregerson but did not think his demeanor was any different than anyone else dealing with the disappearance of the little girl next door.

"I just took it he was as screwed up as the rest of us over this whole ordeal," he said. "We didn't know she was right here the whole (expletive) time."

Others who knew Gregerson said they were stunned by his arrest. Monica Evans lived above the Gregersons in a Liberty Park-area apartment in 2005. She described Gregerson as "kind of strange."

"He never really talked," she said.

Evans said the only trouble was one night when she heard Cadie Gregerson screaming from her apartment. She opened the door and said she saw Gregerson bleeding from her head.

Outside the Norton home Monday night, heartbreak turned to anger and outrage over Destiny's death and spilled out into the streets. Hundreds of people showed up outside the home. Some screamed at police officers still investigating the crime scene at Gregerson's apartment.

Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank came to address the angry mob.

"This individual cooperated on all different levels," he said Monday night. "We had to wait until significant probable cause to obtain a warrant . . . we did not know this was a crime scene until now."

At the volunteer search headquarters, located at an LDS ward on Harvard Avenue, the massive effort was being dismantled.

Hundreds of people turned out for eight days in the heat, searching through alleys and back yards, going through garbage and peeking in bushes.

Search organizers dropped off food and water at the family's home — items left over from the massive volunteer effort.

Shane Siwik, who helped organize the search for Destiny, said he was "numb" at the news of her death. His own daughter had been kidnapped and recovered, thanks to volunteer searchers.

"It was an incredible effort by the community to show up and look," he said Tuesday. "I hope as they see the outcome that nobody has any regrets. Ultimately, there's one person to blame more than anybody else."

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Norton Family: 'Police Did An Excellent Job'

Jul 26, 2006

(KUTV) SALT LAKE CITY During a Wednesday afternoon press conference, the family and friends of Destiny Norton apologized to the Salt Lake Police Department for their critical behavior on Monday night after the girl's body was discovered. Meanwhile, Destiny's accused killer will likely face murder charges tomorrow.

Late Wednesday afternoon, officials close to the case said they were still discussing details and it would likely be Thursday before any criminal charges would be filed against Craig Roger Gregerson. Some expected charges to be filed Wednesday, but officials are still ironing out details. Gregerson will likely face charges of kidnapping and homicide.

Earlier Wednesday afternoon, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, Chief Chris Burbank and members of the Norton family held a press conference to mend relations between police and upset members of the community.

Destiny's mother, Rachael, praised the police for their efforts.

"I want to thank everyone who searched, including the Salt Lake Police Department and the FBI," she said. "We really appreciate everything."

"I know [the police] did their job," she added. "We got our child back."

Jeannie Hill, the Norton family spokesperson, who heavily criticized authorities for not searching the area thorough enough also apologized to police.

"I want to apologize to Chief Burbank for causing a scene... our emotions were so high," she said. "I want to thank everyone for bringing this girl home."

A tearful Ricky Norton, Destiny's father, spoke briefly before he was overcome with emotion.

"The simple fact is...[the police] were the ones who brought my baby back to me," he said.

Family friend Peter Brooks, who also blasted the police and FBI Monday night, said he reacted before understanding the facts.

"They did an excellent job," he said. "They did what they had to do to bring Destiny home."

Chief Burbank then answered a few questions, yet kept most of the details secret.

"Let me also express my own apology," he said. "I wish I could give out the entire information and put many, many people at ease... that the police department did all they could, but more importantly... that Destiny did not suffer."

Burbank did not elaborate on his statement or discuss many other details of the investigation, primarily because of the case currently building against the suspect, Craig Roger Gregerson. However, he did say that Gregerson is cooperating with the investigation.

Burbank also confirmed that police had searched Gregerson's home shortly after Destiny disappeared.

"Officers were in the house," he said. "Because of the circumstances and where [Destiny] was located, officers were not able to find her. A lot of that has to do with the level of search we are able to conduct."

Meanwhile, a medical examiner has completed Destiny's autopsy. However, prosecutors said Wednesday they will not release the details of the autopsy report.

A police report issued Tuesday alleges that Gregerson, 20, lured Destiny from her back yard and into his. When she started screaming, he allegedly cupped his hand over her mouth until she went limp. The report says Gregerson then laid her body on his floor.

Gregerson remains in the Salt Lake County Jail where he faces charges of kidnapping and homicide. Officials say prosecutors will review police evidence on Wednesday afternoon and then decide which charges to formally file.

Authorities and volunteers searched for Destiny since she disappeared on July 16th. Many witnesses claim that Gregerson even participated in the search by passing out flyers and walking the neighborhood.

The Salt Lake Police Department said it wasn't until Monday evening that it obtained a search warrant which allowed officers to find Destiny's body in the basement.

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Man pleads guilty to murder of Destiny Norton

Tuesday, December 05, 2006
PAUL FOY - The Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY -- Rick and Rachael Norton just wanted to get it over -- to see the killer of their 5-year-old daughter locked up for the rest of his life.

They got that much Monday, when a 20-year-old neighbor pleaded guilty to the kidnapping and murder of Destiny Norton, whose smile gleamed with a row of silver-capped teeth. It was the image shown on missing posters across the city as volunteers spent more than a week looking for her.

The plea spared Destiny's family the pain of years of trial and appeals.

It spared the confessed killer, Craig Gregerson, a possible death sentence. The pale and contrite Gregerson was sentenced to life in prison without parole in a deal from prosecutors.

"Everything was taken care of like it should have, and he's not going to hurt anybody else. So, you know, in the end he will get what he deserves," said Destiny's mother, Rachael Norton.

She spoke four days after what would have been Destiny's sixth birthday.

"It's always on our mind, our baby. I'm just glad that it's over with. She can rest in peace," Norton said outside court.

The father, Rick Norton, a 30-year-old construction worker, was too overwhelmed to speak with reporters, saying he was leaving to "take care of our other kids." The couple has two other daughters, including Faith, who was born five weeks after the murder.

Gregerson gave no explanation for his crimes but offered a handwritten letter to Destiny Norton's parents declaring, "I hate myself for what I did."

"Her death was not the worst part. What I did after she was dead was unexcusable, sick and disgusting," said Gregerson, referring to a sexual assault on her corpse.

Destiny had been missing for eight days when police found her body stuffed in a plastic storage box in Gregerson's cellar, just two doors away, on July 24.

She died within minutes of the abduction from her backyard July 16. Police said Gregerson lured the barefooted girl into his house, where he covered her mouth to muffle her screams, smothering her.

"You have every right to hate me, every right to want me dead and every right to never forgive me," Gregerson said in the letter to Destiny's family, which was released by 3rd District Court.

He said he took full responsibility for the girl's death.

Destiny's grandmother, Leslie D. Borchardt, referred five times to Gregerson as a "monster" in a court statement. "I now know what hate is, and mine is unmatched," she said.

Prosecutor Robert Stott said Gregerson will live in isolation in a high-security cell except for shower time. The inmate will have to be protected from others who could seek retribution for the killing of a defenseless girl, he said.

Gregerson received a separate 15 year-to-life sentence on the kidnapping charge, even though it has no practical effect. His estranged wife was in court but said nothing after the hearing.

Gregerson confessed to the murder after taking an FBI polygraph test, then consented to a search and Destiny's body was found concealed in his cluttered cellar. He used cleaning agents to mask the odor and had a white hazardous materials suit hanging upstairs, court files say.