Hear The Ron and Don Show weekdays on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM
  Ron & Don
craigslistkilling_house.jpg
Pam and her son are suing Jim's widow, Charlene Sanders, over money collected in a memorial fund following the 2010 murder. (AP Photo/The News Tribune/File)

Exclusive: Ex-wife of Craigslist killing victim says couple 'put my son's life in danger'

BY Libby Denkmann  on November 29, 2012 @ 5:42 pm (Updated: 6:54 am - 11/30/12 )

The family of an Edgewood man killed after posting a Craigslist ad continues to feud over his memorial fund.

Pam Knoll is the ex-wife of Jim Sanders, the 43-year-old father of two killed during a home invasion that began with an ad offering a ring for sale on Craigslist.

Knoll is also the biological mother of Sanders' 16-year-old son, Jimmy.

Pam and her son are suing Jim's widow, Charlene Sanders, over money collected in a memorial fund following the 2010 murder.

Derek Sanders, Jim's brother, slammed the lawsuit as "vengeful" and misguided on The Ron & Don Show.

"There was originally, probably enough to replace a couple months of my brothers wages," Derek said Wednesday. "[Charlene] used that to pay bills, a couple credit cards - debt things that they had, because she knew she was going to be on a single person's income going forward."

Derek accused Pam Knoll of separating Jimmy from the rest of the family and manipulating the teenager into participating in the lawsuit against his stepmother.

"We have told Jimmy that we would love to have a relationship with him, we would love to be able to see him. We care about him, we pray about him on a regular basis. But it's going to have to be him stepping up to his mom saying, 'I know what I need. I need family and I need support.'"

Thursday, The Ron and Don Show received an email response from Knoll addressing Derek Sanders' interview.

Here is the statement in full:

Jim and Char put my son's life in danger by selling a diamond ring on Craiglist, unknowingly letting 4 killers into their home in order to get money to go on a vacation while they were already in serious financial distress. Sadly, Char did not include my son in "The Jim Sanders Family Fund" She used the money to pay off credit card debt according to Jim's brother, yet decided to take a vacation this Summer to Paris.

My community along with people around the country donated money that was intended to benefit my son, Char and her son Chandler.

My son Jimmy is no different than any other kid that wants the security in knowing that he will be taken care of by his parents. He is a very hard worker with an excellent work ethic.

Jimmy has has suffered terribly to witness his dad being murdered in front of him. Jim was a terrific father to our son and is truly missed but not forgotten.

The public has a right to know that donated money does not always reach those intended for. My advice to you is do your research before donating your hard earned money.

I am my son's advocate as any parent would do for their child's best interest and I will continue to do so.

Pam Knoll

Libby Denkmann, Ron & Don Show Producer
Libby Denkmann is producer of KIRO Radio's The Ron & Don Show (weekdays 3-7). Libby is always on the run - literally.
More Ron and Don

MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (16)


  • Add A Comment

  • Shplunker wrote...
    Seriously?
    November 29, 2012 6:43 pm
    You self-serving, greedy, money-sucking who-are. "They" PUT YOUR SON IN DANGER?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    They put your son in danger
    November 29, 2012 8:03 pm
    Every day he took a car ride with them. How much are you going to sue for each "car ride day"?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Country_Dog wrote...
    I think
    November 30, 2012 6:16 am
    I'm gonna get me some Major Blinds.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    "The public has a right to know that donated money does not always reach those intended for."
    November 30, 2012 6:28 am
    Just like a non custodial parent has every right to know what the money is used for that they pay in child support....but you know what, they don't get to.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • edgewooddave wrote...
    It was NOT a vacation to Paris
    November 30, 2012 7:55 am
    The supposed "vacation to Paris", was a mission trip that Char took with a group from our church to France. This group had been going for over 10 years, and they suggested to Char that she join them this past summer. To describe this as a vacation to Paris is misleading.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • londot wrote...
    Paris
    November 30, 2012 8:15 am
    Mission to Paris France?? Send me... yeah sounds like a real hardship
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • GloScot wrote...
    Throwing a dead guy under the bus
    November 30, 2012 8:11 am
    Nice job, Pam Knoll. Way to throw Jim under the bus. How could anyone know what criminals hell bent on mischief would do when Jim innocently posted an ad to sell something? Jim died trying to save his family and you write this trash to slam the family? You sound like a brainless, heartless fool.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • justanotheridiot wrote...
    Sounds like Libby...
    November 30, 2012 8:57 am
    supports the side of this money grubbing b#@ch since half the article is the ladies statement. The douch and douch show continues to show me how much they suck and should go to one of their other 16 home towns. oh wait, they will claim this city as another home town, so that makes 17
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • The Dude Abides wrote...
    Your name says it all.
    November 30, 2012 11:08 am
    Read the article again, idiot. There's no conjecture, opinion, or speculation on Libby's part here. She's just doing what good journalists do and showing the other side of the argument. She's not taking anyone's side, this is merely a response to the story done yesterday that shows Charlene's side of things. Bash Pam for dragging everyone through the mud like this while using her own son as an excuse to get a free handout. Don't bash Libby for merely reporting what was said.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Brandon_P wrote...
    Tragic....
    November 30, 2012 9:31 am

    In my experience death rarely brings out the best in people or brings them together. The ex-wife has a point though, that her son lost a father and people gave money to support the family of the deceased including his son. I can see why the ex would be pissed. The widow gets a trip to Paris and her son gets nothing. Nothing to help with college or his future.

    Just further proof that money is the root of all evil. As if the father's murder wasn't proof enough.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • imanegro wrote...
    Brandon_P: Kidding, yes?
    December 1, 2012 7:36 am
    The money people gave was called a gift- meaning Charlene could do whatever she wanted with it, including set it on fire. Neither of us knows enough to make the kind of judgement you make regarding the son's future or the trip to Paris- if that even happened. For all we know, all the donated cash is in the sons' 529 plan and a church member paid for Charlene's mission trip. God knows the French need Him. fwiw, Pam sounds like she lacks class.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • edgewooddave wrote...
    The LOVE of money...
    December 1, 2012 9:16 am
    I think the Bible says it best when it says "the LOVE of money is the root of evil". A lot of people forget the "love of" part. (Not saying Brandon P was referencing the bible though). I don't know Bill Gates, but it seems as if he is someone with a ton of money, but in my opinion does a lot of good with it. Just my opinion though.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • itiswhatitis wrote...
    Everyone loses here
    November 30, 2012 10:03 am
    What happened to the son is horrible and I can see that he probably needs more counciling. I heard what he was "hoping" for a car (2 to 5 K), College (10 to 30K per year), wedding(??) Those are some big expectations even if there are no horrible life events. Obviously, when you have a young family, you are cash strapped and try to give them as much as you can. Was there a life insurance policy? Kinda sounds like there wasn't. As a responsible parent you usually have something to protect your family "just in case". Money only causes problems with families when they are EXPECTING something. If you aren't expecting anything, then it is a blessing. There were many lessons learned by this horrible, tragic incident.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • okisoji wrote...
    Why is this news?
    November 30, 2012 11:55 am
    Seriously...why is this news? This is the same kind of back-biting, greed-driven shame many families engage in over money left behind by (or raised in the name of) someone who passes on. Yes, it's certainly shameful, but no more newsworthy than if anyone else was doing it. Tsk tsk, the only story here is the exploitation of a sad story to fluff up the 3 page news feed...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ten4goodbuddy wrote...
    seriously
    November 30, 2012 1:01 pm
    why do people ask why something is news? if you don't like it, don't visit the site, or articles by the individuals putting them out. You people who keep slamming the stories on here are a freaking joke man! See all the other people commenting, they think it is news. Got to a different site that suits your tastes and stop complaining...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }