The Deck — "Norris Evans (Jack of Spades, New York)"

Podcast: The Deck
Host: Ashley Flowers
Episode Date: November 12, 2025

Overview

This episode of The Deck investigates the 1975 unsolved murder of Norris "Snooki" Evans in Rochester, New York—a brutal crime that left four young children motherless and has haunted the surviving family for fifty years. Ashley Flowers and her team partner with law enforcement, survivors, and family members to dig into a case that has grown cold, yet remains filled with unanswered questions and family secrets. Through interviews, case file reviews, and new insights from Detective Seth Carr, the team hopes to inspire someone with knowledge to come forward and finally deliver justice for Norris.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Crime Scene and Initial Response

• Timeline of Events ([03:09]–[05:23])

  • At 11:24pm on May 23, 1975, an anonymous call reported "family trouble" at 5 Crone Street.
  • When police first arrived, the house seemed quiet and dark; they left after a brief check.
  • Less than an hour later, another call, this time from neighbor Tom, prompted a return. Officers found Lewis Evans, Norris’s husband, distraught outside the home.

• Grisly Discovery ([05:28]–[06:26])

  • Inside, Norris Evans, 27, was found nearly decapitated, stabbed multiple times, naked from the waist down with ankles tied, and her house in chaos.
  • Four young children (two from Lewis's previous marriage, two with Norris) were present but unharmed. Conflicting reports placed them upstairs or in the living room.

• Evidence of Staged Robbery? ([08:14]–[08:31])

  • Lewis claimed $1,100 was stolen, suggesting burglary, but detectives remained skeptical, noting details that suggested possible staging.

Early Investigation & Family Dynamics

• Lewis Evans as a Suspect ([08:31]–[09:08])

  • Norris, called "Snooki," was viewed as a loving and non-confrontational person.
  • Rumors and some family statements indicated Norris wanted out of the marriage due to control and fear.

• Alibis and Discrepancies ([10:27]–[12:07])

  • Lewis claimed to be at work during the murder (confirmed by employer and coworkers), but had the opportunity to leave during breaks.
  • Girlfriend Gail attempted to alibi Lewis but provided a false timeline.

• Close Associates Under Scrutiny ([14:18]–[17:54])

  • Lewis’s half-brother Leroy and cousin Jesse were regular visitors, dubbed the "three amigos."
  • Friends like Napoleon also came under suspicion due to timeline discrepancies and physical evidence (bruises/scratches), but alibis appeared to check out.

• Widening the Net ([17:54]–[19:14])

  • Police also scrutinized neighbor Tom, a known burglar in the area (Calvin Burtz), and local teen George Johnson without result; none matched prints at the scene.

Motives, Money, and Life Insurance

• Life Insurance Clues ([19:40]–[21:40])

  • Disputed claims on Norris’s life insurance leading to allegations of forgery.
  • Lewis received two payouts: one from a pre-existing policy (after Norris’s mother was removed as beneficiary), and another taken out just eight days before the murder with a suspiciously "decreasing" benefit for Norris.

• Forged Signatures ([23:50]–[24:25])

  • Gail admitted to forging Norris's signature, first claiming it was for a medical record, then later admitting confusion about the policy.
  • A handwriting expert confirmed some signatures weren’t Norris’s.

• Lewis’s Ambiguous Statements ([24:38]–[24:44])

  • In a moment of sarcasm or rage, Lewis blurted:
    "I killed my wife. I shot her." — Lewis Evans ([24:38])
  • This did not match the actual cause of death (stabbing), further muddying the waters.

Trauma and Aftermath for Norris’s Children

• Growing Up Motherless ([25:21]–[26:43])

  • Darryl and Tamara share memories of a distant, unhappy childhood with Lewis and Gail.
  • Contradictory feelings: Tamara viewed her dad as a hero in her youngest years; Darryl had a more reserved, ambiguous relationship.

• Endless Doubt and Family Secrets ([27:11]–[29:08])

  • Family whispers and suspicions consistently pointed toward Lewis’s involvement or orchestration of the murder, possibly with Leroy and Jesse.

• Confronting the Past ([29:50]–[30:09])

  • As adults, Darryl and Tamara obtained the police report—confirmation of their suspicions about Lewis, Leroy, and Jesse potentially sharing in life insurance money.

New & Renewed Investigation

• Family Testimonies & New Tips ([31:32]–[32:53])

  • A relative claimed Leroy at one point confessed, stating Lewis made him and Jesse kill Norris, but he later retracted.

• Detective Seth Carr’s Fresh Perspective ([32:03]–[34:31])

  • Detective Carr was motivated to re-examine the case after Tamara reached out in 2020.
  • He disputes the official estimated window for time of death (11:30–12:30), suggesting it may have occurred earlier—compromising the suspects’ alibis.

• Unhelpful Interviews ([35:21]–[37:10])

  • Both Jesse and Lewis refuse to offer insight. Lewis uses the phrase: "I have nothing to add and nothing to take away." — Lewis Evans ([35:37]–[37:09]), repeatedly stonewalling investigators and reporters.

Present-Day Roadblocks and Reflection

• Lingering Doubt and Unidentified Evidence ([41:10]–[42:53])

  • Some fingerprints from the scene remain unaccounted for, but DNA was not properly stored.
  • Detective Carr is convinced the scene was staged: "I think she's murdered and it's staged to look like a robbery." — Seth Carr ([40:58]) "From looking at the photos, I think there's a strong possibility that the binding around her ankles or her legs is put on postmortem." — Seth Carr ([41:23])

• Family’s Certainty vs. Legal Proof ([41:57]–[42:10])

  • Darryl Evans expresses total conviction about Lewis’s involvement: "No. There's no way in the world." — Darryl Evans ([42:03])
  • Despite belief and circumstantial evidence, the case remains cold.

• Call to Action ([42:53]–end)

  • Detective Carr appeals to anyone with knowledge:
    "We need either a confession from the perpetrator or cooperation from people that have firsthand knowledge... it's never too late to come forward and share the information you have." — Seth Carr ([42:53])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Crime Scene Assessment:
  “I would walk into that crime scene... and think, man, she might be a victim of sexual assault.”
  — Seth Carr ([06:26])

• Skepticism Toward Alibi:
  “She's telling police, he came to my house at this time.”
  “Right. She’s trying to alibi him. Yeah.”
  — Nina Schulzman & Seth Carr ([10:27])

• On Family Motive:
  “She wasn't living a lifestyle that put herself at a high risk for being victimized.”
  — Seth Carr ([08:50])

• Staged Scene Theory:
  “It's staged to look like a robbery.”
  — Seth Carr ([40:58])

• The Relentless Wall:
  “I have nothing to add and nothing to take away.”
  — Lewis Evans (multiple instances, notably [35:37], [36:03], [36:48])

• Family's Closing Sentiment:
  “No. There’s no way in the world.”
  — Darryl Evans on whether Lewis and his circle are innocent ([42:03])

• Investigator’s Plea:
  “...it's never too late to come forward and share the information you have.”
  — Seth Carr ([43:32])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:09] — Officer Seth Carr describes the initial police response and conditions at 5 Crone Street.
• [05:23] — Discussion about the whereabouts and safety of the Evans children.
• [08:14] — Lewis claims robbery; Detective Carr's skepticism.
• [10:27]–[11:02] — Interview details concerning Lewis’s alibi and the girlfriend’s false statements.
• [17:47] — Discussion about suspecting and clearing neighbor Tom and teens across the street.
• [19:40]–[21:40] — Life insurance changes and questions about policy forgery.
• [24:38] — Lewis's ambiguous, sarcastic seeming admission.
• [25:21]–[26:43] — Darryl and Tamara reflect on their childhood.
• [31:32] — New investigation started by Tamara’s outreach in 2020.
• [35:37]–[37:09] — Investigator Carr and others try to interview Lewis Evans; stonewalled responses.
• [40:58]–[41:23] — Detective Carr explains why he believes the crime scene was staged.
• [42:53] — Detective Carr’s closing appeal for new information.

Conclusion

Despite decades of investigation, substantial circumstantial evidence, family suspicions, and repeated police efforts, the 1975 murder of Norris Evans remains unsolved. The episode highlights profound familial trauma, a pattern of silence and stonewalling among key witnesses, and law enforcement's suspicion of a staged crime scene covering familial motives—particularly life insurance and the desire for a new life after the murder. The case now hinges on the hope that aging secrets or a long-held confession may finally deliver justice for Norris.

If you knew Norris or have any information regarding her murder, you can contact the Rochester Police Department’s Major Crime Unit at 585-428-7157 or email majorcrimes@cityofrochester.gov. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 585-423-9300.