True Crime Friday: Theresa Knorr—Wife, mother, sister, and serial killer
Theresa Jimmie Francine Knorr was born on March 14, 1946. She is the worst kind of serial killer because two of the victims were her own daughters. Theresa Knorr was convicted of abuse, neglect and torturing two of her children to death while she encouraged the other children to assist. Theresa set fire to her daughters to cover up the abuse with the help of her two sons. She could have been stopped early when she killed her first husband. But the jury found her not guilty so she walked away a free woman prime to kill. She was also considered a suspect in the unsolved murder of her sister Rosemary Norris. Theresa Knorr is currently serving two consecutive life sentences in a prison in California.
The Early Childhood of Theresa Knorr
Theresa was the younger of two daughters born to parents Swannie and James Cross. Her father worked as an assistant cheese maker at a local dairy, eventually saving up enough money to buy the family a home. The father had to quit his job because he developed Parkinson’s disease. Soon after he began to take his anger out on the family. Swannie Cross kept the family afloat financially. Theresa was reportedly very close to her mother and was devastated when she died of heart failure. James had to sell the family home because Swannie was the breadwinner. When her mother died it was reported that Theresa began to change and not for the better.She married at the age of sixteen to Clifford Sanders who was twenty one years old. She immediately dropped out of high school and became pregnant. Her first child was Howard Clyde Sanders. It was not an idea marriage to say the least and soon cracks began to show. According to Clifford Sanders his wife was possessive and repeatedly accused him of infidelity. The couple argued frequently and Knorr reported Sanders to the police on several occasions but each time refused to press charges. July 6, 1964, after another heated argument Sanders informed Theresa that he had enough and was leaving her. She went into a rage and shot him with a rifle he as was walking out of the door.
Theresa was promptly arrested. She pled not guilty and claimed self-defense. Theresa was also pregnant at the time which garner her sympathy from the jury. She claimed that she had shot Sanders because he was a violent man who abused her. Several of Sander’s relatives testified that he was neither violent nor abusive and it was Theresa who was the violent abusive one in the marriage.The prosecution claimed that Theresa killed Sanders "maliciously" and "without provocation." Lydia Hansen, the victim’s sister testified that Theresa was possessive and jealous. She stated Theresa would kill Sanders before any other woman could have him. Theresa Knorr was acquitted of Sanders' murder on September 22, 1964. She must have felt she had Card Blanche after the verdict.
The Victims of Theresa Knorr
- Clifford Sanders
- Rosemary Norris
- Sheila Gay Sanders
- Suesan Marline Knorr
- Howard Sanders
- William Knorr
- Robert Knorr
- Theresa “Terry” Knorr
Theresa Knorr was married several times. It was said she was a very beautiful woman and able to have any man she desired. After her second child Shelia was born things began to slowly go downhill for Theresa and it was said she blamed Shelia for her failing looks and demeanor. She began to resent her daughters looks and that is when the abuse began. Estell Thornberry her second husband left her because she was partying and out all times of the night. She was having an affair with his best friend while they were married. She then began to date Robert Knorr and they had three children. This marriage did not last after she began to accuse him of having affairs.
The marriage was also abusive for the both of them. Robert tried to see his children but Theresa was able to prevent this from happening. She then married Ronald Pulliam but her drinking and partying split this marriage apart. Chester Harris was her last marriage. The children loved Chester, especially, her daughter Suesan. It was said that Suesan and Chester were really close and he treated her life his own daughter. Theresa was upset about this and accused Suesan of being a witch. Theresa filed for divorce and took her frustrations out on Shelia and Susan enlisting the help of the other children.
The Survivors of Theresa Knorr
- William Knorr
- Robert Knorr
- Theresa “Terry” Knorr
- Estell Thornsberry
- Robert Knorr
- Chester Harris
Lady Justice
Theresa “Terry” Knorr afraid for her life went to the police. Unlike the few times the children had told authorities about the abuse they had been suffering, this time police listened to her story and believed her. The two bodies that had been discovered were tested for evidence and found to the Terry’s sisters Suesan and Shelia. Police took out warrants on Theresa and her two sons who had assisted their mother with the burning of the bodies.William Knorr was sentenced to probation in exchange for his testimony. He also had to undergo therapy for participating in the torture and murders of his sisters. Robert Knorr, Jr., was sentenced to three years in prison which was served concurrently with his 16-year sentence in Nevada 2016 for child pornography. After running away from her mother's home, Terry Knorr married twice and eventually moved to Utah with her second husband. Theresa Knorr is serving two life sentences in a prison in the State of California.