Prosecutors issue murder charges against son of Portage couple found buried in the woods
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office authorized two counts of open murder charged Wednesday against Nicholas Johnson, 27, in the homicide of his parents, Laura Johnson, 65, and Gary Johnson, 64,.
The Johnsons had been missing for several days before authorities found their bodies buried in a wooded area at the Gourdneck State Game area in Portage on Feb. 12, 2021. Kalamazoo County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the couple's death as a homicide. The cause of death was not released.
Nicholas Johnson also faces two counts of felony firearm and one count of a felon in possession of a firearm. He's expected to be arraigned on the murder and firearm charges on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 in Kalamazoo County District Court.
Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting revealed Wednesday that Portage Public Safety is investigating whether anyone helped Nicholas Johnson.
"Portage Public Safety has looked at not just Nicholas, but other people around him for potentially being involved in this as well," Getting said.
- The investigation: Police search for clues in missing teen case tied to Portage homicide person of interest
Portage Public Safety considered Nicholas Johnson the only suspect in his parents' disappearance and the homicide. Investigators said there were signs of violence inside Gary and Laura Johnson's Romence Road home.
The Johnsons were first reported missing Tuesday, Feb. 9, when Gary Johnson's employer called police because Gary didn't show up for work.
The day after, Portage Public Safety launched a search to find his parents.
Nicholas Johnson was arrested Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, on an outstanding warrant for a September 2019 home invasion charge.
Investigators said they found Nicholas Johnson in a storage unit with a pistol and ammunition at Mallard Cove, an apartment complex about a mile from his parents’ home on Romence Road. His mother's car was found nearby.
Court documents revealed Nicholas Johnson had a violent relationship with his parents.
Nicholas Johnson was charged with domestic violence and malicious destruction of property after he allegedly assaulted his mother at his parent's home on Feb. 21, 2018, according to court records.
Gary and Laura Johnson said they feared for their safety around their son in a personal protective order they filed following the 2018 incident.
Nicholas Johnson was also charged in September 2019 with breaking into his parents home and stealing money.
Detectives also named Nicholas Johnson as a person of interest in the disappearance of 17-year-old Bonifacio Pena of Gobles in 2018.
Michigan State Police and Portage Public Safety continue to investigate the homicide case.
