When a Mother Becomes a Monster
Shelly Knotec story
Shelly Knotek was born on March 17, 1960, in California. She grew up in a troubled home with an alcoholic father and abusive mother. Knotek struggled with drug addiction in her teens and early adulthood and was in and out of rehab facilities.
In 1985, Knotek met David Knotek, and the couple married in 1986. They had two daughters together, Shane and Kristin. In the early 1990s, the couple moved to Raymond, Washington, where they purchased a large house with the intention of running a boarding house.
The Knoteks began renting rooms to vulnerable individuals, including people struggling with addiction, mental health issues, and homelessness. They provided meals and shelter but soon began using their power over their tenants to abuse them physically, emotionally, and psychologically.
Over the years, several tenants reported abuse by the Knoteks, but no charges were filed. In 2003, one of their tenants, Kathy Loreno, died of an untreated head injury sustained in the boarding house. Despite suspicion of foul play, no charges were filed at the time.
In 2004, Knotek’s daughter, Kristin, reported the abuse to the authorities, but again, no charges were filed. In 2011, Knotek’s other daughter, Shane Watson, reported to the police that Knotek had killed Loreno and…
