Pazuzu Algarad, born John Alexander Lawson, was convicted as an accessory after the fact in the 2010 shooting death of Joseph Emmrick Chandler and was later arrested after skeletal remains were found buried in his Clemmons, North Carolina, backyard in 2014. He died by apparent suicide in a North Carolina prison in October 2015.
Pazuzu Ilah Algarad was born John Alexander Lawson and legally changed his name in 2002 to align with his self-described satanic beliefs. He took the name Pazuzu after the Mesopotamian demon figure, while "Ilah Algarad" was said to mean "the lord of the locusts" in Arabic. He lived in Clemmons, North Carolina, with his mother.
In 2010, Joseph Emmrick Chandler was shot and killed in Donnaha Park near the Yadkin River. Algarad was later convicted in 2012 as an accessory after the fact in connection with Chandler's death, a legal status indicating he assisted after the killing occurred rather than being convicted of the killing itself.
In 2014, law enforcement discovered skeletal remains buried in shallow graves in the backyard of Algarad's Clemmons home. Algarad was arrested in connection with these discoveries. His girlfriend, Amber Burch, was also arrested; she was subsequently charged and later pleaded guilty for her role in the deaths associated with the remains found on the property.
Algarad's home was declared unfit for human occupation and was demolished on April 24, 2015.
On October 28, 2015, Algarad died of an apparent suicide in a North Carolina prison cell while incarcerated. Following his death, he became the subject of a Vice Media documentary titled "The Devil You Know."
Algarad's 2012 conviction was for acting as an accessory after the fact in Chandler's death, not for killing Chandler. His 2014 arrest followed the discovery of remains at his home. He died before the resulting allegations could be resolved at trial.
John Alexander Lawson legally changes his name to Pazuzu Ilah Algarad.
2010
Joseph Emmrick Chandler is shot and killed in Donnaha Park near the Yadkin River.
2012
Algarad is convicted as an accessory after the fact in the death of Joseph Emmrick Chandler.
2014-11
Skeletal remains are discovered in shallow graves in the backyard of Algarad's Clemmons, North Carolina home; Algarad and his girlfriend, Amber Burch, are arrested.
2015-04-24
Algarad's Clemmons home is demolished after being declared unfit for human occupation.
2015-10-28
Algarad dies of an apparent suicide in a North Carolina prison cell.
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Titles and descriptions are the creators’ own and may not reflect current legal status; see the dossier above for sourced case facts.
VIDEO
Coffeehouse Crime / 23 min
The House Of Horror | The Strange Case of Pazuzu Algarad
People
Joseph Emmrick Chandler
VICTIM
Shot and killed in 2010 near the Yadkin River in Donnaha Park.
Amber Burch
CONVICTED
Arrested in 2014 alongside Algarad after skeletal remains were found in the backyard; charged and later pleaded guilty for her role in the deaths.
Pazuzu Algarad
CONVICTED
Convicted in 2012 as an accessory after the fact in the death of Joseph Emmrick Chandler; also arrested in 2014 after skeletal remains were found on his property.
Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.
Pazuzu Algarad, born John Alexander Lawson, was convicted as an accessory after the fact in the 2010 shooting death of Joseph Emmrick Chandler and was later arrested after skeletal remains were found buried in his Clemmons, North Carolina, backyard in 2014. He died by apparent suicide in a North Carolina prison in October 2015.
Where did the murders happen?
Clemmons, North Carolina.
Who was convicted?
Amber Burch (Arrested in 2014 alongside Algarad after skeletal remains were found in the backyard; charged and later pleaded guilty for her role in the deaths.) and Pazuzu Algarad (Convicted in 2012 as an accessory after the fact in the death of Joseph Emmrick Chandler; also arrested in 2014 after skeletal remains were found on his property.).
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