A US soldier stationed in Hawaii has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for the killing of his wife and unborn child last summer, an act he tried to conceal by disposing of evidence improperly.
PFC Dewayne Johnson II pleaded guilty earlier this week to charges of voluntary manslaughter, obstruction of justice, and making false official statements, according to a statement from the Army Special Court.
His wife, Misha Johnson, was just 19 years old and six months pregnant when she was killed on July 12, 2024. As of now, her remains have not been located.
During testimony, Johnson recounted being at their home on Scofield Barracks military base in Oahu when a heated argument broke out. Reportedly, his wife had yelled that she was unaware of his existence, which triggered his violent response. He stated that he didn’t intend to end her life.
In a troubling admission, he explained that he had used a chainsaw to dismember her body to cover up the murder, placing the parts in a trash bag that he later discarded, believing the trash would be incinerated directly.
Johnson first reported his wife missing on July 31 and actively participated in search efforts around Oahu. However, he was arrested for her murder on August 27 after investigators uncovered blood, DNA, and other incriminating evidence in their home.
Prosecutors noted that Johnson, originally from Frederick, Maryland, received the maximum possible sentence under the law. A charge related to child sexual abuse was dropped as part of a judicial agreement.
As a result of his conviction, Johnson’s rank will be reduced to private, and he will lose his pay and benefits along with receiving a dishonorable discharge. He is set to serve time in a military prison in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Misha’s sister, Marianna Tapiz, expressed her devastation over the situation, stating it was difficult to hear about the grim circumstances of her sister’s death. Despite this tragedy, she emphasized the family’s intention to cherish the joyful memories of Misha rather than the painful details of her final moments.
Army prosecutor Colonel Nicholas Heard conveyed hope that the judicial outcomes might help provide some solace to the grieving family. He acknowledged that no amount of punishment could erase the deep sorrow caused by the loss of Misha and her unborn child, but hoped that Johnson’s admission of guilt could bring some closure.
