Who Is Sarah Jo Pender? Age, Biography and Wiki
Sarah Jo Pender was born on May 29, 1979, making her 45 years old in 2025. Pender is an American figure known for her controversial past as a convicted murderer. Her story gained national attention following her involvement in a double homicide in 2000, resulting in a lengthy and tumultuous legal journey. After being convicted in 2002 and escaping custody in 2008, Pender was apprehended again in 2010. Over the years, she has been a subject of various media portrayals and examinations of criminal behavior.
| Occupation | Murderers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 29, 1979 |
| Age | 46 Years |
| Birth Place | Indiana, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | India |
Popularity
Sarah Jo Pender's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, Sarah Jo Pender stands at approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall. While her weight has fluctuated over the years due to various circumstances, it is estimated to be around 140 pounds (63 kg). Specific measurements are not publicly available, but Pender has maintained a relatively healthy physique throughout her challenges.
Hull reported that while Pender was away, an argument broke out between Hull and Cataldi regarding money that Hull's sister, Tabitha, owed to Cataldi. Hull said that Cataldi, who knew about the recently purchased shotgun, went into Hull's room to attempt to retrieve the weapon.
Hull later told detectives that Cataldi "said he was going to kill my f---ing family". Hull said he attempted to prevent Cataldi's actions, which resulted in a physical struggle between the two men that ended with Hull shooting Cataldi in the chest and also shooting Nordman in the head as well as the chest.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Details regarding Sarah Jo Pender's family remain sparse due to the nature of her criminal past and the desire for privacy. As of 2025, her relationship status is somewhat unclear. It has been reported that Pender has been involved in various relationships throughout her life, but none have been confirmed publicly in recent years. As such, her current boyfriend or girlfriend remains unknown.
Sarah Jo Pender (born May 29, 1979) is an American woman convicted along with her former boyfriend, Richard Edward Hull, of murdering their roommates, Andrew Cataldi and Tricia Nordman, on October 24, 2000, in Indiana. She has claimed ever since that she is victim of a wrongful conviction.
She came to national attention in August 2008 after she escaped from the Rockville Correctional Facility and was featured on America's Most Wanted. She was recaptured by police in December at a house in Chicago.
Net Worth and Salary
While exact figures may vary, Sarah Jo Pender's net worth is estimated to be modest, likely in the range of $100,000 to $500,000. This is largely attributed to potential earnings from speaking engagements and written works, as well as any possible royalties from media portrayals. Pender's salary specifically is not publicly disclosed, but her unique life experience has opened opportunities for financial gain.
Career, Business and Investments
Sarah Jo Pender has had a tumultuous career trajectory. Initially, her notoriety derived from her past crimes; however, she has since attempted to reinvent herself. Pender's career in 2025 focuses mainly on advocacy against violence and criminal injustice, leveraging her experiences for educational purposes. She may also have had ventures into writing and public speaking, although detailed accounts of specific businesses or investments have not been made widely public.
In the meantime, Pender had settled in a North Side Chicago neighborhood where she went under the name Ashley Thompson. She found a job as an estimator for a contractor.
Social Network
In the digital age, Sarah Jo Pender has maintained a limited social media presence, reflecting her desire for privacy. Various platforms may feature discussions or fan pages, but Pender herself generally refrains from sharing significant personal details online. Her interactions are often centered around her advocacy work, where she seeks to engage with communities about her past and the implications of criminal behavior.
* 1) Richard Hull himself, in a signed affidavit, has recanted and admitted the letter was a forgery. In it, he has explained that while he was detained at the Marion County Jail, he showed samples of Pender's handwriting to fellow inmate Steve Logan and asked him to write the letter for him, since Logan wrote more like a woman.
In return, Hull would provide protection on the cell block for Logan, who was a small white guy. By producing the forged letter, Hull's goal was to get a shorter sentence.
However, on May 4, 2004, when he appeared for re-sentencing, the court found as an aggravating factor the notarized affidavit in which he admitted the forgery, since it contradicted his earlier testimonies. The court found "an additional aggravating factor [that arose since the original sentencing], which, actually, is very serious.
[Hull] appears to have committed perjury in an effort to help his co-defendant manipulate her way out of a criminal conviction for [the] very serious offenses of murder." While admitting the May 16 letter was a forgery resulted in a heavier sentence for Hull, it was of no benefit to Pender.
Education
Sarah Jo Pender's educational background is not extensively documented in the public domain. While it is known that she completed high school, details about any further education remain private. In recent years, through her advocacy work, Pender may have gained informal knowledge and training related to social issues, criminal justice, and societal healing.
In conclusion, the life of Sarah Jo Pender in 2025 remains a complex tapestry of past errors, rehabilitative efforts, and attempts to create a positive narrative from a tumultuous history. Her journey continues to resonate with those monitoring issues surrounding crime and justice in America.
According to Joel Schumm, a criminal law professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, "If Pennington's testimony was important in convicting her and this list seriously undermined his credibility, a judge may well order a new trial because the verdict would no longer be worthy of confidence."
