The Raymond House of Horrors

In this episode, we uncover the disturbing true story of Michelle “Shelly” Knotek, a woman once viewed as a caring and selfless pillar of the small town of Raymond, Washington, who was later accused of hiding unimaginable abuse behind closed doors. What began as a home that appeared to offer refuge to struggling friends, relatives, and vulnerable people slowly transformed into a place of fear, manipulation, and deadly control. Through survivor accounts, court records, and the testimony of Shelly’s daughters, Nikki, Sami, and Tori, we explore how years of violence and coercion remained hidden in plain sight until the family finally exposed the truth. This is the chilling story of how a woman known as Raymond’s “saint” became the center of one of Washington state’s most horrifying true crime cases.

References 
If You Tell
Olsen, G. (2019). If you tell: A true story of murder, family secrets, and the unbreakable bond of sisterhood. Thomas & Mercer.
The Seattle Times
Long, K. (2003, August 12). Tale of abuse, deaths unfolding in rural Raymond. The Seattle Times. https://www.seattletimes.com
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Esser, G. (2003, August). Coverage of the Michelle and David Knotek investigation. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. https://www.seattlepi.com
Washington Courts Opinions Search
State of Washington v. Michelle Knotek (Washington State appellate records and sentencing materials, 2004–2005). Washington State Courts.
Washington State Department of Corrections
Washington State Department of Corrections. (2022). Offender release and incarceration records for Michelle Knotek. https://www.doc.wa.gov
Pacific County Sheriff’s Office
Pacific County Sheriff’s Office. (2003). Investigative records related to the Michelle and David Knotek case.
Find a Grave – James McClintock Memorial
James McClintock memorial record. (n.d.). Find a Grave. https://www.findagrave.com
KOMO News
KOMO News. (2022, November). Michelle Knotek released from prison after serving sentence in Raymond abuse and murder case. KOMO News. https://komonews.com