Image Courtesy of Madison County Detention Center
Reality TV is supposed to entertain us—not end in tragedy. But behind the scenes of OWN’s hit show Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s was a heartbreaking and sinister story that no one saw coming.
Andre Montgomery Jr., the teenage grandson of soul food queen and Sweetie Pie’s founder Robbie Montgomery, was gunned down in St. Louis in 2016. The murder shocked fans and devastated a family—but the most jaw-dropping part? His own uncle orchestrated the killing.
Who Was Andre Montgomery?
Andre Montgomery Jr. was born into the Sweetie Pie’s legacy. His grandmother, Miss Robbie, was a former backup singer for Ike & Tina Turner before she opened her now-famous soul food restaurant in St. Louis. The family-run business became the focus of Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s, a popular reality show that ran on the Oprah Winfrey Network from 2011 to 2018.
Andre was introduced to viewers as a soft-spoken, kind-hearted young man who had faced his share of struggles. He moved to St. Louis to live with his grandmother after having a tough time growing up in Texas. Miss Robbie took him in, hoping the structure and love would help keep him on track.
The cameras followed Andre through school, family squabbles, and dreams of being a rapper. But behind the scenes, something darker was brewing.
The Murder Plot
On March 14, 2016, Andre was lured to a home in North St. Louis under false pretenses. He was shot and killed shortly after arriving. At the time, the case seemed random—another young Black man killed in the streets of St. Louis.
But Miss Robbie knew better.
She hired a private investigator to look deeper. The family had already been through so much—her son and business partner, James Timothy “Tim” Norman, was increasingly erratic. Miss Robbie had suspicions, but the truth would be worse than she could ever imagine.
Uncle Tim’s Deadly Motive
It came out years later that Tim Norman had plotted his own nephew’s death for one reason: money.
Tim took out a life insurance policy on Andre for $450,000 back in 2014. Not only did he take it out without Andre’s knowledge—he even tried to claim it just days after the murder. Investigators say he conspired with an exotic dancer named Terica Ellis to lure Andre to the location of his death. She allegedly used burner phones and text messages to coordinate with Tim and a third man who carried out the shooting.
In 2020, federal prosecutors indicted Tim Norman for conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and mail fraud. He was found guilty in 2022 and sentenced to life in prison.
Miss Robbie’s Heartbreak
Miss Robbie stood by her son longer than many expected—but in court, the evidence was overwhelming. She lost her grandson to murder and her son to prison.
In interviews, she’s spoken about the deep pain of loving both the victim and the perpetrator. It’s a heartbreak no mother should ever face.
And for fans who fell in love with the Sweetie Pie’s family on TV, the story serves as a chilling reminder: not everything on reality television is as sweet as it seems. I loved the show and had a huge crush on Tim. Gross.
What Makes This Case So Unforgettable?
It wasn’t just the betrayal—it was the boldness. Tim Norman planned this crime while cameras were still rolling. He smiled on TV with Andre while planning his death behind the scenes.
The show gave us a glimpse into a loving, tight-knit family. But what we didn’t see were the lies, the greed, and the heartbreak just out of frame.
Final Thoughts
Andre Montgomery Jr. was only 21 years old when his life was taken. A bright kid with big dreams, robbed of his future by someone who should’ve protected him.
Justice was served—but the scars will never heal for Miss Robbie and everyone who truly loved Andre.
Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.
