Michelle Knotek was born on April 15, 1954, in Raymond, Washington. She grew up in a small town where she faced various challenges in her family life. There is limited information about her parents and childhood. However, it is known that she had a troubled upbringing, which may have influenced her later actions.

As a teenager, Michelle struggled with her identity and her relationships with others. She eventually left her home in search of independence. During her youth, she made choices that led her to connect with various people, including those who would later become part of her adult life.

In her early twenties, Michelle became a mother. She had three children, but the details about her parenting and family dynamics are not well documented. Over time, she experienced ups and downs in her life, which affected her personal relationships.

In the early 1990s, Michelle met David Knotek. They married and began a life together in Raymond. This period marked a significant change in her life, as she developed friendships with people around her. Many of these individuals would later come to live in her home.

Kathy Loreno was a hairdresser who moved into Michelle and David Knotek's home in 1991 after an argument with her family. During her time there, Kathy allegedly experienced physical abuse. In 1994, she was reported missing by her family. When investigators spoke with the Knoteks, they claimed Kathy had gone to California with a truck driver. Michelle maintained they were still in contact. However, a private investigator later suggested that Kathy had likely been murdered. David Knotek said Kathy died after choking on her own vomit, but did not report her death or seek medical help since her body had visible injuries.

Shane Watson, Michelle's nephew, moved in with the Knoteks in 1988. He vanished shortly after Kathy was reported missing. The Knoteks initially claimed he had run away to work on a fishing boat in Alaska. David later admitted to shooting Shane with a rifle. Investigators believed that Shane was killed because he documented the abuse Kathy suffered. David claimed he burned both Kathy's and Shane's bodies, scattering their ashes at the beach.

Ronald Woodworth was another person who lived with the Knoteks around 2001. He also faced severe physical abuse. Witnesses reported seeing him forced to do tasks while under extreme conditions, leading to injuries. Ronald went missing in 2003. David admitted to burying Ronald's body on their property after Michelle told him Ronald had committed suicide. An autopsy later revealed that Ronald had been murdered.

In 2003, both Michelle and David Knotek were charged with murder. Michelle faced charges for the deaths of Kathy Loreno and Ronald Woodworth. David was charged with the murder of Shane Watson, along with other related charges. In 2004, both pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Michelle entered an Alford plea and was sentenced to 22 years in prison. David received a 15-year sentence for his crimes. Michelle served about 18 years and was released in November 2022. David served approximately 13 years before being paroled in 2016.