Pamela Diane DeGrio, aged 67, was tragically found dead on February 6, 2018, in Nevada City, California. Her body was discovered along the 10000 block of North Bloomfield Road, having been shot multiple times. The Nevada County Sheriff's Office quickly classified her death as a homicide. Following an extensive investigation, authorities identified her ex-husband, Michael Kent Sturgell, as the primary suspect. Sturgell, who was 71 years old at the time, had a history with DeGrio, having been married to her over 40 years prior. The couple had a child together but had divorced in the 1970s.
The investigation revealed that Sturgell had a significant gambling problem, which likely played a role in the tragic events. It is believed that Sturgell killed DeGrio inside her home when she refused to give him money. After the murder, Sturgell allegedly stole guns from DeGrio's home, one of which was later found in Butte County. This discovery further implicated him in the crime. Sturgell had been in custody since April 4, 2018, on a burglary charge, which eventually led to his arrest for DeGrio's murder.
The case proceeded to trial, and on April 25, 2019, a Nevada County jury took only 45 minutes to convict Sturgell of first-degree murder. Deputy District Attorney Chris Walsh noted that while the exact motive for the murder might never be fully understood, the evidence presented was compelling enough for a swift verdict. Sturgell's sentencing was anticipated to result in a minimum of 25 years to life in prison, reflecting the severity of his actions and the impact on the community.
