Michael Johnson (Serial Killer)
Chicago Serial Killer and Rapist
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois
TIME PERIOD
2008-2010
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
Michael A. Johnson Jr., an American serial killer and rapist, committed a series of violent crimes in Chicago, Illinois, between August 2008 and May 2010, resulting in the deaths of four women. Johnson was apprehended on May 30, 2010, following the courageous testimony of a survivor who reported his initial attack, which involved severe physical assault and sexual violence. He was subsequently convicted of multiple charges, including first-degree murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault, leading to a cumulative sentence of 185 years in prison, later reduced to 185 years. Significant evidence includes DNA collected from the crime scenes and corroborative witness statements linking Johnson to the victims, solidifying his role as a serial offender in the South Side area.
Michael Johnson's early life experiences, including severe neglect and abuse, are believed to have contributed to his violent tendencies. Some speculate that his physical disability may have influenced his criminal behavior, leading him to assert power through violence against women. Additionally, theories suggest that his choice of victims—often vulnerable women—reflects a pattern of targeting those he perceived as weaker, possibly stemming from his own feelings of inadequacy and anger from his childhood.
The Chilling Crimes of Michael Johnson: A Tale of Darkness on Chicago's South Side
Early Life: The Seeds of Turmoil
Born on September 5, 1985, on the South Side of Chicago, Michael A. Johnson Jr.'s life was marked by adversity from the start. Missing three fingers on his right hand, a probable consequence of his mother's drug abuse during pregnancy, Michael's early years were steeped in neglect and abuse. His father abandoned the family when Michael was just five, leaving him and his six siblings in the care of their mother, whose approach to parenting included frequent beatings with electrical cords and confining them indoors, even denying them the chance to attend high school.
Financial struggles were a constant shadow over the Johnson household. To make ends meet, Michael's mother resorted to prostitution, while young Michael often found himself begging for food at the corner store. In 2006, a flicker of normalcy touched his life when he met Tena Anderson at a friend's birthday party. Their relationship blossomed, and a year later, Anderson gave birth to his child. By April 2008, Michael managed to secure a job with FedEx, but his financial woes persisted, leading to homelessness and subsequent unemployment.
The Murders: A Descent into Violence
The descent into darkness began in August 2008, mere months after losing his job. Michael encountered a 43-year-old sex worker at a gas station and persuaded her to engage in sex for money. They moved to a foreclosed house where Michael once lived. However, when she refused a particular sex act he requested, rage consumed him. In a violent outburst, he choked her until she lost consciousness, sexually assaulted her, and then callously threw her from a second-story balcony. Leaving her seemingly lifeless body in an alleyway, he departed, believing her dead. Miraculously, she survived, albeit with severe injuries including a collapsed lung and a lacerated liver.
Two months later, in November 2008, Michael's violent spree continued with the murder of 38-year-old Eureka Jackson. He strangled her and left her body in a derelict building in the West Pullman neighborhood, with her shirt tied around her neck and secured to a closet door handle. After this murder, he paused his killing spree for a year.
In January 2010, the violence resumed with the murder of Leslie Brown. Her nude, frozen body was discovered at 119th and Wentworth by a passerby. The brutality didn't stop there. In March, Michael attacked Candice Franklin in Roseland, choking her into unconsciousness and raping her. She survived but was left with a swollen eye and a bloodied face. Later that month, he killed 30-year-old Siobhan "Shay" Hampton, discarding her body near Harold's Chicken Shack. His final known victim, 29-year-old Lutelda Hudson, met the same fate in May 2010.
The Arrest: A Survivor's Courage
Candice Franklin's survival proved pivotal in bringing Michael to justice. In May 2010, having recovered from her injuries, she returned to the streets for work and spotted Michael. Fearful but determined, she fled and sought refuge at her boyfriend's home, prompting Michael to retreat. When she saw him again weeks later, she called her boyfriend, who confronted Michael, leading to police intervention.
DNA evidence soon sealed Michael's fate. The samples taken matched those from the crime scenes, linking him conclusively to three murders, with further evidence tying him to the fourth. On May 30, 2010, Michael was arrested and charged with four murders and the attempted murder of Franklin.
Trial and Imprisonment: Justice Served
In March 2014, Michael was convicted for his attack on Franklin and received a 90-year prison sentence. The prosecution's case was bolstered by DNA evidence, which irrefutably connected him to the four murders. Although his appeal reduced his aggravated battery sentence from 10 to 5 years, the following year, he received an additional 100 years for Leslie Brown's murder. As of now, he has not been tried for the other three murders, yet his total sentence stands at 185 years.
Conclusion: A Dark Chapter Closed
Michael Johnson's reign of terror on Chicago's South Side left a trail of devastation and heartbreak. His story is a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface, and the courage required to bring such evil to justice.
Sources
- Suspected serial killer/rapist gets another 100 years in prison. WFLD. September 21, 2015
- Steve Schmadeke. "Helping catch a killer." Chicago Tribune. October 1, 2015
- Dan Simmons & Cynthia Dizikes. "Prostitute survives attack, tips police." Chicago Tribune. May 31, 2010
- Annie Sweeney & Duaa Eldieb. "4 strangulations may be linked, police say." Chicago Tribune. May 19, 2010
- People v. Johnson, 2017 IL App (1st) 141202-U (PDF)
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Attack
Michael Johnson attacks a sex worker, leaving her for dead but she survives.
Second Murder
Johnson strangles and kills Eureka Jackson, discarding her body in a boarded-up building.
Third Murder
Johnson strangles Leslie Brown and dumps her body, which is later found frozen and nude.
Fourth Murder
Johnson strangles Siobhan Hampton and discards her body near Harold's Chicken Shack.
Arrest
Michael Johnson is arrested after a survivor identifies him and DNA evidence links him to the murders.
First Conviction
Johnson is convicted for the attack on Candice Franklin and sentenced to 90 years in prison.
Second Conviction
Johnson is sentenced to 100 years for the murder of Leslie Brown.
Michael A. Johnson Jr., an American serial killer and rapist, committed a series of violent crimes in Chicago, Illinois, between August 2008 and May 2010, resulting in the deaths of four women. Johnson was apprehended on May 30, 2010, following the courageous testimony of a survivor who reported his initial attack, which involved severe physical assault and sexual violence. He was subsequently convicted of multiple charges, including first-degree murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault, leading to a cumulative sentence of 185 years in prison, later reduced to 185 years. Significant evidence includes DNA collected from the crime scenes and corroborative witness statements linking Johnson to the victims, solidifying his role as a serial offender in the South Side area.
Michael Johnson's early life experiences, including severe neglect and abuse, are believed to have contributed to his violent tendencies. Some speculate that his physical disability may have influenced his criminal behavior, leading him to assert power through violence against women. Additionally, theories suggest that his choice of victims—often vulnerable women—reflects a pattern of targeting those he perceived as weaker, possibly stemming from his own feelings of inadequacy and anger from his childhood.
The Chilling Crimes of Michael Johnson: A Tale of Darkness on Chicago's South Side
Early Life: The Seeds of Turmoil
Born on September 5, 1985, on the South Side of Chicago, Michael A. Johnson Jr.'s life was marked by adversity from the start. Missing three fingers on his right hand, a probable consequence of his mother's drug abuse during pregnancy, Michael's early years were steeped in neglect and abuse. His father abandoned the family when Michael was just five, leaving him and his six siblings in the care of their mother, whose approach to parenting included frequent beatings with electrical cords and confining them indoors, even denying them the chance to attend high school.
Financial struggles were a constant shadow over the Johnson household. To make ends meet, Michael's mother resorted to prostitution, while young Michael often found himself begging for food at the corner store. In 2006, a flicker of normalcy touched his life when he met Tena Anderson at a friend's birthday party. Their relationship blossomed, and a year later, Anderson gave birth to his child. By April 2008, Michael managed to secure a job with FedEx, but his financial woes persisted, leading to homelessness and subsequent unemployment.
The Murders: A Descent into Violence
The descent into darkness began in August 2008, mere months after losing his job. Michael encountered a 43-year-old sex worker at a gas station and persuaded her to engage in sex for money. They moved to a foreclosed house where Michael once lived. However, when she refused a particular sex act he requested, rage consumed him. In a violent outburst, he choked her until she lost consciousness, sexually assaulted her, and then callously threw her from a second-story balcony. Leaving her seemingly lifeless body in an alleyway, he departed, believing her dead. Miraculously, she survived, albeit with severe injuries including a collapsed lung and a lacerated liver.
Two months later, in November 2008, Michael's violent spree continued with the murder of 38-year-old Eureka Jackson. He strangled her and left her body in a derelict building in the West Pullman neighborhood, with her shirt tied around her neck and secured to a closet door handle. After this murder, he paused his killing spree for a year.
In January 2010, the violence resumed with the murder of Leslie Brown. Her nude, frozen body was discovered at 119th and Wentworth by a passerby. The brutality didn't stop there. In March, Michael attacked Candice Franklin in Roseland, choking her into unconsciousness and raping her. She survived but was left with a swollen eye and a bloodied face. Later that month, he killed 30-year-old Siobhan "Shay" Hampton, discarding her body near Harold's Chicken Shack. His final known victim, 29-year-old Lutelda Hudson, met the same fate in May 2010.
The Arrest: A Survivor's Courage
Candice Franklin's survival proved pivotal in bringing Michael to justice. In May 2010, having recovered from her injuries, she returned to the streets for work and spotted Michael. Fearful but determined, she fled and sought refuge at her boyfriend's home, prompting Michael to retreat. When she saw him again weeks later, she called her boyfriend, who confronted Michael, leading to police intervention.
DNA evidence soon sealed Michael's fate. The samples taken matched those from the crime scenes, linking him conclusively to three murders, with further evidence tying him to the fourth. On May 30, 2010, Michael was arrested and charged with four murders and the attempted murder of Franklin.
Trial and Imprisonment: Justice Served
In March 2014, Michael was convicted for his attack on Franklin and received a 90-year prison sentence. The prosecution's case was bolstered by DNA evidence, which irrefutably connected him to the four murders. Although his appeal reduced his aggravated battery sentence from 10 to 5 years, the following year, he received an additional 100 years for Leslie Brown's murder. As of now, he has not been tried for the other three murders, yet his total sentence stands at 185 years.
Conclusion: A Dark Chapter Closed
Michael Johnson's reign of terror on Chicago's South Side left a trail of devastation and heartbreak. His story is a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface, and the courage required to bring such evil to justice.
Sources
- Suspected serial killer/rapist gets another 100 years in prison. WFLD. September 21, 2015
- Steve Schmadeke. "Helping catch a killer." Chicago Tribune. October 1, 2015
- Dan Simmons & Cynthia Dizikes. "Prostitute survives attack, tips police." Chicago Tribune. May 31, 2010
- Annie Sweeney & Duaa Eldieb. "4 strangulations may be linked, police say." Chicago Tribune. May 19, 2010
- People v. Johnson, 2017 IL App (1st) 141202-U (PDF)
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Attack
Michael Johnson attacks a sex worker, leaving her for dead but she survives.
Second Murder
Johnson strangles and kills Eureka Jackson, discarding her body in a boarded-up building.
Third Murder
Johnson strangles Leslie Brown and dumps her body, which is later found frozen and nude.
Fourth Murder
Johnson strangles Siobhan Hampton and discards her body near Harold's Chicken Shack.
Arrest
Michael Johnson is arrested after a survivor identifies him and DNA evidence links him to the murders.
First Conviction
Johnson is convicted for the attack on Candice Franklin and sentenced to 90 years in prison.
Second Conviction
Johnson is sentenced to 100 years for the murder of Leslie Brown.