“Pazuzu was scary, just plain scary.” — Diane Brimhall, a former neighbor of Pazuzu Algarad
The Devil You Know
The case of Pazuzu Algarad gained national attention and was the subject of a true crime documentary series on the Investigation Discovery network called “The Devil You Know.”
Pazuzu Algarad was charged with killing two men, Joshua Wetzler and Tommy Dean Welch, whose remains were found buried in his backyard in Clemmons, North Carolina in 2014.
According to reports, Algarad shot Wetzler in the head during an argument and buried his body in his backyard. Welch’s cause of death is less clear, but it is believed that he was also killed by Algarad and buried in the same location.
The exact details of how Pazuzu Algarad killed Joshua Wetzler and Tommy Dean Welch are not completely clear, as there were no eyewitnesses to the crimes. However, it is believed that Algarad shot Wetzler in the head during an argument and buried his body in his backyard in Clemmons, North Carolina.
The cause of death for Welch is less certain, as his body was found in a more advanced state of decomposition. However, it is believed that he was also killed by Algarad and buried in the same location as Wetzler.
Victim Profiles
Joshua Fredrick Wetzler was 37 years old at the time of his death and had a troubled past.
According to reports, Wetzler had a history of drug abuse and had spent time in jail on drug charges. He was also reportedly involved in a relationship with a woman who had been in a long-term relationship with Algarad. It is believed that Algarad killed Wetzler during an argument over the woman.
Wetzler’s family members described him as a loving father who had struggled with addiction for many years. In a statement to the media following Algarad’s arrest, Wetzler’s sister, Kadi Wetzler, said that her brother had “a heart of gold” and that “he had his issues, but he didn’t deserve this.”
“He had his issues, but he didn’t deserve this.” — Kadi Wetzler, sister of Joshua Wetzler
Tommy Dean Welch was 36 years old at the time of his death and had a difficult life.
According to reports, Welch was a transient who struggled with addiction and mental health issues. He had a criminal record and had served time in jail on various charges, including drug possession and breaking and entering. Welch was last seen alive in August 2009, and his family reported him missing in September of that year.
Welch’s family members described him as a kind and caring person who had struggled with addiction and mental illness. In a statement to the media following Algarad’s arrest, Welch’s sister, Debbie Welch-Baker, said that her brother had “a good heart” and that “he was a good person who just had his demons.”
“He was a good person who just had his demons.” — Debbie Welch-Baker, sister of Tommy Dean Welch
Succubus
Amber Burch was the girlfriend of Pazuzu Algarad and an accomplice in the murders of Joshua Wetzler and Tommy Dean Welch.
According to reports, Burch had a troubled childhood and struggled with addiction and mental health issues. She was reportedly introduced to Algarad through mutual acquaintances and became involved in his satanic and occult activities.
“We believe that Ms. Burch played a key role in this, assisting Mr. Algarad in the commission of these heinous crimes.” — Forsyth County Sheriff Bill Schatzman
Burch was said to have played a role in the murders of Wetzler and Welch, and was also accused of helping to bury their bodies in Algarad’s backyard. She pleaded guilty to the charges of murder and was sentenced to life in prison.
Krystal Matlock was not directly involved in the killings, but was charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
According to reports, Matlock was a close friend of Algarad and was aware of the murders after they occurred. She reportedly helped Algarad and his girlfriend, Amber Burch, to bury the bodies of Wetzler and Welch in Algarad’s backyard.
Matlock pleaded guilty to the charge of accessory after the fact to murder and was sentenced to between 13 and 16 years in prison.
Mental Health
Pazuzu Algarad had a history of mental health issues, which were documented throughout his life. According to reports, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses as a teenager and was hospitalized several times.
Algarad’s mental health issues likely contributed to his extreme and disturbing behavior, as well as his involvement in satanism and the occult. It is possible that his mental health struggles also played a role in his decision to commit the murders that he was charged with.
Childhood
Pazuzu Algarad, whose real name was John Alexander Lawson, had a troubled childhood. According to reports, he was born in San Francisco, California in 1978 and was raised by his mother, Cynthia Lawson. His father, who went by the name “Coyote,” was reportedly a member of the Hells Angels motorcycle club.
Algarad’s family moved frequently during his childhood, and he attended a number of different schools. He was said to have been an intelligent and creative child, but he also struggled with mental health issues from a young age. According to reports, Algarad was diagnosed with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses as a teenager and was hospitalized several times.
Algarad’s family life was also chaotic and dysfunctional. His mother was reportedly abusive, and Algarad was said to have suffered both physical and emotional abuse at her hands. In addition, Algarad was exposed to drug use and other criminal activity from a young age, as his father and other family members were involved in the drug trade and other illegal activities.
It is believed that Algarad’s troubled upbringing contributed to his later struggles with mental illness and criminal behavior. He was known for his extreme and disturbing behavior, as well as his involvement in satanism and the occult, and he was eventually arrested and charged with murder in 2014.
Satanist
Pazuzu Algarad was known for his involvement in satanism and the occult. According to reports, he was a self-proclaimed satanist and often displayed satanic and occult symbols in his home and on his body.
“It was just something that was hard to wrap my head around, that somebody could be living like that in this area.” — Forsyth County Sheriff Bill Schatzman
Algarad’s house in Clemmons, North Carolina was reportedly adorned with satanic and occult symbols, and he was known to conduct rituals and ceremonies there. The walls of the house were reportedly covered in graffiti, with messages and drawings related to Satanism and the occult.
Algarad was also known for his tattoos and body modifications, which included symbols associated with Satanism and the occult. He had large tattoos on his face and body, as well as multiple piercings and filed teeth.
Algarad’s interest in Satanism and the occult, along with his extreme and disturbing behavior, made him a figure of fascination and fear in his community.
Horror House
Pazuzu Algarad lived in a house located at 2749 Knob Hill Drive in Clemmons, North Carolina. The house gained notoriety after Algarad was arrested in 2014 and charged with murder.
According to reports, the house was in a state of extreme disrepair, with trash, debris, and animal waste covering the floors and walls. The house was reportedly infested with rats, roaches, and other vermin, and the stench of decay and filth was said to be overpowering.
The interior of the house was also adorned with satanic and occult symbols, and Algarad was known to conduct rituals and ceremonies in the home. The walls of the house were reportedly covered in graffiti, with messages and drawings related to Satanism and the occult.
Following Algarad’s arrest, the house was condemned and eventually demolished. The property has since been sold and a new home has been built on the site.
To Hell
Pazuzu Algarad committed suicide while in custody at Central Prison in Raleigh, North Carolina on October 28, 2015. He was 36 years old at the time of his death.
“I just wanted to die. That was the only thing that would make it stop.” — Pazuzu Algarad, Rolling Stone
According to reports, Algarad was found unresponsive in his cell and was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death was later determined to be hanging.
Algarad had been held in custody since his arrest in 2014 on charges of murder. He had pleaded guilty to killing two men whose remains were found buried in his backyard, and was serving a life sentence in prison.
Algarad’s suicide shocked his family, friends, and the community at large. Some speculated that his mental health issues and the isolation of prison may have contributed to his decision to take his own life.
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