Hawaii Soldier Sentenced to 23 Years for Killing Wife and Unborn Child
Oahu, Hawaii – A U.S. Army soldier based in Hawaii has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for the tragic murder of his pregnant wife and their unborn child. Pfc. Dewayne Johnson II, 23, pleaded guilty to charges of voluntary manslaughter, obstruction of justice, and making false official statements after a gruesome crime that took place last summer.
A Gruesome Crime
At the center of this case is the death of 19-year-old Mischa Johnson, who was six months pregnant at the time of her demise on July 12, 2024. In a military courtroom on Thursday, Johnson confessed to killing his wife during a heated argument at their residence located at Schofield Barracks on Oahu. According to Johnson, the altercation escalated after Mischa expressed that their child would never know him, leading him to strike her with a machete.
"I couldn’t picture my life without my child," he told the court. "I regret, I shouldn’t have done it."
After the fatal blow, Johnson admitted to dismembering Mischa’s body using a chainsaw, disposing of the remains in garbage bags placed in a dumpster, believing they would be incinerated.
Timeline of Events
- July 12, 2024: Mischa Johnson is killed.
- July 31, 2024: Dewayne Johnson reports his wife missing, more than two weeks after her death.
- August 27, 2024: Johnson is charged with murder following the discovery of blood and DNA evidence in their home.
The body of Mischa Johnson has yet to be recovered, deepening the pain for her family.
Family’s Mourning and Hope for Closure
In the wake of the sentencing, family members have expressed their heartbreak. Marianna Tapiz, a sister of the victim, stated, “It was shocking and painful to hear what happened to my sister.” The family is focused on cherishing happy memories rather than fixating on the tragedy.
Army prosecutor Lt. Col. Nicholas Hurd expressed hope that the judicial process would bring some closure to the grieving family. "While no amount of confinement will ever truly ease the pain of the loss of Ms. Johnson and her unborn child… it is my hope that Pfc. Johnson’s admissions of guilt can provide some element of closure."
Consequences and Future
As part of his guilty plea, Johnson will face a reduction in rank to private, will lose pay and allowances, and will receive a dishonorable discharge from the Army. He is set to serve his sentence at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The maximum sentence for his crimes underscores the severity of this heartbreaking case.
This incident continues to resonate within the military community and underscores the tragic consequences of domestic violence.
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