The husband of a pregnant woman who disappeared in Hawaii has now been charged with murdering her and her preborn child.
Private first class Dewayne Arthur Johnson II, 28, of the United States Army, was charged Wednesday with the murder of Mischa Johnson, intentionally killing her unborn child, obstruction of justice, and possession of child pornography.
Mischa Johnson, 19, was six months pregnant when she went missing from her home on Schofield Barracks on Oahu in July. Police now say Dewayne, her husband, is responsible for her disappearance. Though Mischa’s body has not been found, Dewayne has been charged with murder. According to police, store surveillance videos show him purchasing tools and cleaning supplies they believe were used in a crime prior to reporting his wife missing.
Mischa’s sister, Marianna Tapiz, had previously said her younger sister was excited about starting married life and raising her baby. “She was so excited to be a housewife and to live her dream,” Marianna said on an Instagram livestream in August. “She was so happy.”
Marianna also said that Agents with the Army Criminal Investigation Division told her family that they believe Mischa is dead based on evidence found in the home and Dewayne Johnson’s car.
According to Stars and Stripes, Dewayne told the Honolulu Police Department and military police he was “emotionally distraught” following his wife’s disappearance, and even organized a six-mile search on the army base in the days following. However, in August prior to the murder charges, he was charged with making false statements. He is currently awaiting a preliminary hearing which is required before the charges can be referred for trial by general court marshal.
Homicide remains a leading cause of death for pregnant women, exceeding all the leading health-related causes of maternal mortality. Like this one, many of these tragic cases are related to domestic violence situations.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, visit thehotline.org or call 1-800-799-SAFE.
Call on President Trump to pardon the FACE Act prisoners on his first day in office.
