Overview
Destiny Anne Norton (November 30, 2000 – July 16, 2006) was a child living in Salt Lake City, Utah, who was kidnapped and murdered by a neighbor in 2006. She disappeared on July 16, 2006, after leaving her home following an argument with her parents about taking a bath. Missing-person posters were circulated throughout Salt Lake City by volunteers, describing her as having blonde hair, green eyes, several capped teeth, and wearing a grey shirt with black stripes.
Investigation and Discovery
Destiny's disappearance triggered a massive search effort involving approximately 5,000 community volunteers, along with the FBI and local police, over eight days. The search was led by Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank and was widely praised for its scale and level of community involvement. Her body was found on July 24, 2006, in the basement of her neighbor, 20-year-old Craig Roger Gregerson, less than 100 feet from her home.
Following the discovery, family and friends initially expressed outrage, accusing authorities of mishandling the investigation. Chief Burbank responded by acknowledging the emotional toll of the case and emphasizing the dedication of those involved in the search effort. A press conference was later held at which an apology was issued on behalf of the family and friends, expressing gratitude to law enforcement for their efforts.
Legal Proceedings
Craig Roger Gregerson was formally charged on July 27, 2006, with kidnapping and aggravated murder. He waived his right to a speedy trial and later waived his right to a preliminary hearing, which had originally been scheduled for October 3–4, 2006. As part of a plea bargain to avoid the death penalty, Gregerson pleaded guilty to capital murder and child kidnapping on December 4, 2006. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder and fifteen years to life for the kidnapping, with the sentences to be served consecutively.
Aftermath
The Destiny Search Project was formed in 2007 in connection with the case and was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 2008. It operated for several years, conducting operations in Utah related to other missing persons cases, including those of Camille Cleverley, Hser Ner Moo, and Susan Powell, before its website went offline sometime in 2019.
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