Deborah Jeane Palfrey (March 18, 1956 - May 1, 2008) was an American businesswoman and criminal. She was best known by the name she was given by the media, the D.C. Madam. Palfrey operated an escort agency, Pamela Martin and Associates, in Washington D.C. She was convicted on April 15, 2008 of racketeering, using the mail for illegal purposes, and money laundering. Two weeks later, at age 52, she was found hanged in a garage. Autopsy results and the police said her death was a suicide.