In the tangled web of unresolved mysteries, the story of Norman Clark emerges as a haunting enigma, a tale shrouded in darkness and suspicion.
NBC Dateline’s chilling exploration into ‘Deadly Circumstances’ delves into the intricate details of a man accused, but not convicted, of the murder of his pregnant girlfriend, 25-year-old Brittany Eldridge, and their unborn child, Ezekiel “Zeke” Owen, in Knoxville, Tennessee, back in December 2011. Brace yourself as we unravel the unsettling narrative of Norman Clark, a man at the center of a perplexing crime that continues to confound investigators.
Norman Clark: A Collector with a Dark Side
Norman Eugene Clark, a 28-year-old collector employed by Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance in Knoxville, found himself entangled in a web of deceit and tragedy in 2011. His life became intertwined with that of Brittany Caroline Sherwood Eldridge, a 25-year-old woman married to Tery Eldridge. The two worked together, reaching out to clients to ensure timely house payments. However, their professional relationship took a dark turn when Brittany separated from her husband after her affair with Norman came to light.
Brittany, eight and a half months pregnant with Norman’s child, Ezekiel “Zeke” Owen, vanished from her routine on December 13, 2011, causing concern among colleagues and Norman himself. When her mother, Robin Owens, arrived at Brittany’s apartment in the Cross Creek complex, the grim discovery of Brittany’s lifeless body in a pool of blood shocked everyone. Autopsy reports revealed she had been asphyxiated by strangulation, with two stab wounds on her throat inflicted by scissors. The unborn child met a tragic end due to intrauterine asphyxia after the maternal demise.
The Trail of Suspicion Leads to Norman Clark
Suspicion swiftly fell upon Norman when Brittany’s friend, Allison Brockhoff, disclosed that Brittany had spoken with him about their future and their unborn child just a day before her disappearance. Further scrutiny of call records revealed numerous calls and texts between them on the fateful evening. Norman admitted to a heated argument but vehemently denied involvement in the heinous crime, insisting he was at Leann Hawn’s residence during the incident.
However, Leann’s testimony contradicted Norman’s alibi, claiming she had been asleep and hadn’t seen him until 10:00-10:30 pm that night. The police, digging deeper into Norman’s life, uncovered a complex network of relationships, with multiple women unaware of each other’s existence. Testimonies, including one from his girlfriend Connie Lyons, painted a picture of a man leading a duplicitous life. Brittany’s public declaration of Norman being the father of her child seemed to be a breaking point for him.
Acquittal Amidst Doubts: Where Is Norman Clark Now?
Norman’s shaky alibi and incriminating phone records led to his arrest and subsequent indictment on first-degree murder charges in 2014. The legal saga unfolded with his first trial in August 2015, where the defense argued that Brittany had fallen victim to a botched robbery. With no DNA evidence linking Norman to the crime, the trial ended in a mistrial after eight days, with an 11-1 vote favoring acquittal.
A second trial in September 2017 offered no closure, as another hung jury voted 10-2 in favor of acquitting Norman. Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen declared in January 2018 that her office would not pursue a third trial. However, the specter of uncertainty lingers, with prosecutors hinting at a potential retrial if new evidence surfaces.
Norman Clark, now in his late 30s, resides on Starhurst Drive in Knoxville, Tennessee, according to Whitepages. The unanswered questions surrounding Brittany’s tragic demise persist, keeping Norman as a prime suspect in a case that remains shrouded in mystery.