WASHINGTON — Brittany Norwood, convicted of the March 2011 murder of co-worker Jayna Murray in the Bethesda Lululemon Athletica shop, also likely was working as a prostitute, according to a new book by journalist Peter Ross Range.
In “Murder In The Yoga Store,” Range says in the days before the murder, Lululemon co-workers and managers suspected Norwood of stealing money and expensive perfume from co-workers.
Minutes before the murder, Murray had called the store manager to report finding yoga pants that had not been paid for in Norwood’s bag.
“We caught the bitch,” Murray reportedly said.
Jurors never heard either detail in the trial and sentencing of Norwood, who was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life with no chance of parole.
Sources tell WTOP that police and prosecutors believed Norwood was working as a call girl, but chose not to disclose that fact in open court.
Based on text messages, investigators believe she was involved in prostitution even while working at Lululemon, Range says in his book.
Police also found a Craigslist posting offering Norwood’s “personal services.”
Forensics experts at the crime scene found two Metro subway cards, one was registered to Murray and the other to a prostitution counseling group, Range reports.
The book, downloadable on Amazon and available next week as a paperback, compiles Range’s research and interviews with principals in the case. The downloadable version does not include footnotes.
In conversations with Lululemon employees, Range reveals the store’s leadership team debated using a hidden camera to catch Norwood.
On the night of the murder, Murray had planned to meet a co-worker at a nearby restaurant after closing the shop with Norwood.
The friend canceled at the last minute, but texted Murray: “I’m headed home. Sorry. Hope you survived!!!”
Two hours later, Murray was brutally murdered by Norwood.
Norwood’s attorney, Douglas Wood, was not immediately available for comment.
Follow @WTOP on Twitter.
