John Norgaard Sr., a 67-year-old white male, and his wife, Gloria J. Norgaard, a 69-year-old white female, were tragically found dead in their Springfield, Illinois home on September 11, 2022. John, born on June 11, 1955, was the owner and operator of Norgaard Paint and Body, while Gloria was employed by Springfield Clinic. The couple had been married for 45 years and were well-regarded in their community.
The investigation into their deaths revealed that they were victims of a double homicide. The perpetrator, Mark N. Crites Jr., a 25-year-old male, was found guilty of fatally shooting John and Gloria Norgaard. On the evening of September 10, 2022, Crites, who was suffering from a mental illness, had an altercation with his brother and subsequently set his own house on fire. He then wandered into the Norgaards' home, where he shot both John and Gloria. Their bodies were discovered the next morning by a family member who called 911.
Crites was apprehended on September 12, 2022, in Benld, Illinois, about an hour south of Springfield. He was found in the Norgaards' 2008 black Dodge Charger and was in possession of the firearm used in the murders. During his trial, Crites pleaded guilty but was found to be mentally ill at the time of the crime. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, as Illinois law mandates a life sentence for cases involving multiple deaths.
The case brought significant attention to the issue of mental illness and its impact on criminal behavior. The Norgaard family, while devastated by the loss, expressed hope that the conviction and sentencing of Crites would bring some measure of closure. The community mourned the loss of John and Gloria, remembering them as kind and caring individuals who were deeply loved by their family and friends.
