The Infamous Raymond Torture Killings

Greg Olsen's gripping true crime telling of Shelly Knotek's heinous crimes against her household has gripped readers since its release in 2019 and topped the best seller list most of 2022. The book centers around a violent and sadistic mother and her resilient children.

Michelle "Shelly" Knotek was born in 1954. She grew up in Washington State, largely under the care of her step mother Lara Watson. Watson recalls meeting Shelley as a child and having regular issues with her lying, cruelty and anger potentially stemming from her alcoholic mother.

After a tumultuous childhood being passed to relatives, Shelly met her first husband and the two raise a daughter, Nikki in Raymond County WA. Shelly's erratic behavior and violent outbursts lead to a divorce. She quickly remarries and has a daughter Sami, and divorces again.

Sisters Nikki and Sami are largely raised by Shelly's 3rd husband - Dave Knotek. The two soon have a 3rd daughter, Tori. At this point, Shelly brings her 30 year old friend Kathy Loreno in to live with the family due to finance trouble. This proves to be a deadly mistake.

Her husband Dave brings his young nephew Shane Watson to live with them as well, and all members of the household suffer humiliating and torturous abuse. Those interviewed describe Shelly forcing them to perform chores naked, her controlling their toilet access and beating them.

Shelly would punish her daughters for things like using the toilet without permission by making them sleep outside or even shoving Nikki through a glass door. The girls would have to hide bruises so they wouldn't be detected at school.

It's a classic cycle of abuse where Shelly would shower the children with affection and then explode in violent rages. She even drugged her friend Kathy and witheld food and clothing from her. Kathy feared for life, so she stayed and died in 1994, emaciated, in their home.

The Knotek's burned the body and pretended Kathy was missing. Their 19 year old nephew Shane said he had photos of Kathy's abuse, so Shelly convinced her husband to shoot him. The family said he ran away to Alaska.

In 1999 a family friend, 57 year old Ron Woodworth stayed with the family. Ron too was at first shown warmth and affection but eventually Shelly tortured him in brutal ways such as forcing him to jump off a roof and being doused in bleach. He died of injuries in 2003.

Soon after, Sami, Nikki and Tori at last gathered enough courage to call the police. They found Ron's body in the backyard. Shelly was charged with 2 counts of murder for Ron and Kathy. Dave was charged with murder of Shane. She served 18 years in prison and he served 15.